Aston Villa announced Unai Emery as Steven Gerrard’s successor just days after sacking the latter.
The Spaniard took over the Premier League side earlier this month and helped them beat Manchester United 3-1 at the weekend.
This has helped Aston Villa climb to 14th spot in the table and they are three points ahead of 18th placed Southampton. The new Villans manager has admitted his immediate focus is to help his players regain their best form.
Marca had a detailed chat with the ex-Arsenal coach, and he made this claim when asked about the ‘short-term reinforcements’, likely for the winter market.
“We must also talk about respect for the players. There are players here who are underperforming. I want to give them the opportunity to help them improve and improve their performance,” he said.
“But we have to be professionals and see if we are right in the changes we must make. You have to be very demanding in the changes. We want to improve the team and make the right decisions with new players. The squad can be improved. We are convinced that we will be able to do it.”
Aston Villa took the 51-year-old from Villarreal by triggering his release clause. Recent reports from the Spanish press have explained Emery’s side have an interest in signing Nicolas Jackson and Samuel Chukwueze from his former club.
Although Marca didn’t specify any players, they pressed Emery whether he will raid his former club to strengthen Aston Villa’s squad.
“Villarreal have demanding objectives and they have achieved them. The best thing about Villarreal has been making a winning team. That gives you tremendous recognition abroad and in Europe you are highly respected,” the coach explained.
“The professionals who are inside have that recognition. Also, the players. Villarreal and Aston Villa must be contextualised. My objective is not to bring players from Villarreal, it is to bring the concept that we generated at Villarreal. From there, if a player fits us and we can, we would take the step.”
