Speaking to preview Wednesday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City, Aston Villa’s Unai Emery expressed that the clash will be ‘an exciting challenge for the club’ given their current league position.
The Villans will be without Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins for the trip to Etihad Stadium, with the pair both sidelined with ‘small injuries,’ according to Emery.
‘Jacob Ramsey is not getting better like he wants and we are not in a hurry with him,’ explained the Spaniard, who went on to add that ‘with Ollie, it’s more or less the same but I think it’s a small injury. We are going to wait because with some days, he could be available for the next match.’
A goalless stalemate against Arsenal on Sunday left Manchester City lingering in third place – just one position above Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Five points separate the two sides, but the Villa boss was keen to express that ‘it’s an exciting challenge for the club, facing Manchester City in the position we’re in now, fourth.’
Embed from Getty Images‘Playing against the best team in the Premier League is the biggest test we are facing, and tomorrow is one of the most important matches we are going to face. It’s a tough match and we are respecting them. Playing against Manchester City is very difficult, and even more so playing away.’
‘I expect a very difficult match and that we will defend a lot tomorrow. I expect that in case we can dominate the match at some points, to play with personality and try to use our power when we are with the ball.’
‘This is the opportunity we have,’ emphasised Emery. ‘Each point we are playing for in the Premier League is very motivating for us. Our opportunity to repeat playing in Europe next season is fantastic.’