Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans believes he is currently “better than ever” but can still improve and hit another level at the club.
Gazette Van Antwerp have an interview with the midfielder today in which he discusses Aston Villa’s season so far and his own personal development under Unai Emery.
The 27-year-old has established himself as a key player under the Spanish coach this season, with 45 appearances and 3872 minutes in all competitions to date.
He’s started every Premier League game so far, all four of their FA Cup games and all ten games in the Champions League as well. It is only in the EFL Cup games against Wycombe and Crystal Palace in which he has been absent.
He’s already managed more minutes than he did in the entirety of last season (2717) and is just one appearance from equalling that number (46) as well.
It’s a clear sign of the growing faith that Emery has in the midfielder, who is very much now a key component in the system for now and the future.
Tielemans certainly feels he is at the best he’s ever been, although he thinks there is still more to come from him despite that.
“Luckily, I didn’t have any bad kicks this season. I’m just completely fit, and my legs are just ready to perform. Mentally I’m also in top shape, so just keep it that way,” he said.
“I feel like I can still make steps. I feel like I can still get better as a player. I try to work on it every day, try to get better every game but I feel better. Yeah, better than ever.
“I have to say, sometimes when you get into that flow, with all those games, you feel better. And it’s just in your body, in your system but off the field I just try to pay attention to my body as constantly as possible.
“Trying to reset my mind when I’m home. Just trying to put that focus away. And really focus on home when I’m home and on football when I’m on football. But always trying to eat well, rest well and then just enjoy my life.
“The mental is the most important thing for me actually, because when you set your mind that you want to do something and then your body just follows and, Um, yeah, it’s harder to do than just saying it.”
