Unai Emery has given his first interview as Aston Villa boss as he addressed various key talking points following his appointment.
The 51-year-old will be unveiled ahead of his first press conference on Friday, as he prepares his new squad for his first game in charge which comes against Man Utd on Sunday at Villa Park.
READ MORE: Matty Cash provides insight into Unai Emery’s first days at Villa
After our struggles under Steven Gerrard, it’s hoped Emery is the right man for the job as we look to improve our current situation and climb the Premier League table in the short-term, but the Spaniard is also an ambitious and exciting choice for our long-term aspirations too given his experience, pedigree and achievements at the highest level to date.
While it’s going to be fascinating to see the changes he implements on the pitch in terms of his tactical set-up and the way in which he can hopefully improve the players currently at his disposal, it was equally as fascinating to hear him discuss his move to Villa in detail.
Emery on becoming new Villa boss
“I am so happy to be here and to share with you this new project,” he told VillaTV. “And to be here at Aston Villa because of its great history, the greatness of the club, the solid project and to achieve with new objectives our future together.
“Aston Villa, when they were calling me, it was amazing. The facilities for my new challenge here in the Premier League at this club – the history, the supporters, the wishes (ambition) to do something important again. They convinced me quickly and, above all, because professionally for me it is one step ahead, a strong step ahead.
“I want every supporter to be proud of our work and how we show our capacity on the pitch. I like possession of the ball but when we can progress, being aggressive, attacking the spaces and really playing with energy. I was watching our players in the training sessions and previous matches they’ve played, and we have players with energy and good skills.
“Between everybody, we are going to share and achieve our identity and style. We want every supporter to be proud of us.”
Emery strikes all the right notes in introduction
It was great to finally hear directly from Emery after he took his first training session on Wednesday morning, and there was interesting insight offered by him on various topics.
While the Premier League in itself undoubtedly has huge appeal, the fact that Emery insisted he believes this is the right fit for him was an important point and he is evidently impressed with not only our vision for the future but also the training ground and infrastructure in place to take us forward.
Further, it was great to hear him speak about his style of play and principles as a coach, and although it’s one thing saying it and another putting into practice on the pitch with these players, Villa have long needed a solid identity and way of playing as well as a system that gets the best out of the current group.
Given his successes elsewhere prior to taking this job, there is a high degree of confidence that Emery will improve us, and while he openly admitted that he has work to do in terms of building confidence in players who are underperforming, there is a real sense that Villa are in safe hands.
With the lack of time he’s had to really get his ideas and philosophy across to the players this week though, we perhaps shouldn’t expect too much this weekend. Early positive signs, tweaks to improve us tactically will be more than welcome, as would a positive result.
For now though, Emery has said all the right things, and it’s hoped that translates onto the pitch in the shape of improved form, consistency and real direction and excitement about our play as Villa have appointed a coach with big ambitions, a proven track record and with a point to prove in the Premier League.
