Unai Emery

[villan95]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12942850/unai-emery-interview-tyrone-mings-injury-tactics-and-psychology-after-newcastle-and-why-he-is-still-aiming-high

Unai Emery interview: Tyrone Mings’ injury, tactics and psychology after Newcastle, and why he is still aiming high

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Unai Emery talks tactics and psychology after the injuries to Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings – and why Villa are still aiming high; watch Aston Villa vs Everton live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm

By Adam Bate, Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal

  11:40, UK, Saturday 19 August 2023

The season had been keenly anticipated at Aston Villa, a series of exciting signings helping to build the best squad that younger supporters can remember. That optimism has been shaken by one thumping defeat at Newcastle and two serious injuries.

Losing 5-1 would have been chastening regardless but it came against the backdrop of Emiliano Buendia's cruciate ligament injury and included talisman Tyrone Mings suffering the same fate during the game. It was a sombre journey back from St James' Park.

Speaking to Unai Emery in a breakout room after his press conference on Friday, the conversation begins by asking if he has ever known a team suffer such misfortunate. Typically, he offers the factual response rather than surrender to hyperbole.

"Real Madrid," Emery tells Sky Sports. "Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao." Still, he acknowledges that the situation is "strange, unusual" and he cannot ignore the human impact of such injuries on his entire squad. "Emotionally, it is always hard," he adds.

"It is the worst news. Firstly, for the players. Secondly, for the team because they are important players who are not going to be playing for a long time. The players are in contact every day, they are friends, they are team-mates. It needs time to recover the stability."

In the aftermath, players, staff and supporters look to one person for leadership. At Villa, that person is Emery. "As a coach, you have to try to show calm." He took time to process it, however. "I needed Sunday and Monday to react." And then, he formulated his response. "By being demanding," he says. No excuses. That is the mantra.

"If we are only making excuses in bad circumstances I think the reaction would possibly be worse," he explains. "We always have to be in control of ourselves and accept it. When news comes we find solutions quickly. The opportunities are there for other players."

Emery may be reluctant to use the mitigating circumstances as an excuse but they are plain for all to see. It is not only Mings and Buendia who are now missing through injury but Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey, four of his likely starting line-up. "This is the reality."

The discussion turns to the squad depth in pre-season, even how the absences of Jhon Duran and Leander Dendoncker robbed Villa of competition for places. After a pause, Emery shuts it down himself. "These are excuses. We did not lose because of it."

Why did they lose?

"Newcastle showed us they are better than us," he says.

"They were faster, stronger in the duels, more aggressive in attack and they won because they were better. We were less in the duels, less in the runs, less aggressive than them. This is the reason. Tactically, as well, we took some wrong decisions."

Villa's high defensive line has come under scrutiny, although it was the lack of pressure on the ball higher up the pitch that contributed to their problems at Newcastle - albeit against one of the more physically intense opponents in European football right now.

The injury to Mings would also seem to put an end to the tentative plans that had been floated to use new signing Pau Torres as a de facto left-back in the build-up phase. Tactical flexibility has long been a priority for Emery, but does this now limit his options?

He does not anticipate it altering his approach too much. "We are trying to play with our shape, building with two or a third centre-back playing low as a right full-back. We will not change a lot, we will react by trying to be stronger with the same structure."

He talks of the need to "improve the players" through his incessant work on the training ground. The signing of Nicolo Zaniolo shows Villa are prepared to turn to the transfer market to rebalance the squad. More incomings are possible by the end of the month.

"Without Tyrone and Emiliano the squad is weaker," he says. "We want to finish the transfer window with a strong structure in our squad because we want to be competitive in all competitions. We have to be aware and ready if something could improve our squad."

Before that, there is the visit of Everton. It will be a different challenge, tactically and psychologically, to the one Villa faced at Newcastle. "Firstly, it is different because it is at home." But he is not underestimating Everton. "They deserved to beat Fulham."

When did he watch it? "Monday," he replies. With others still ruminating on defeat, his own process had begun. "Now I am going through it again with the club analysts, looking at their structure. I will go through the final details with the players on Sunday morning."

He is, he points out, just a man "trying to build a team" but that work has captured the imagination, with European football returning to Villa Park and talk of a first trophy since 1996. The message from Emery is that he wants everyone at Villa to keep believing.

"When I am sending some messages, it is because we have to put our level high," he explains. "We have to try to put it high. As. High. As. Possible. And then try to get it. That is the only message that I have for myself, for my players and for the supporters.

And if they do not reach it? "The supporters have to control their frustration too. Because we are going to be very demanding. But the frustration is not the same if you aim high. And, if we are not getting there as soon as possible, we will get there in the long term."

[juteface]

5 hours ago, Mantis said:

This has made me think - am I the only one that is prepared to give Emery far more leeway than previous managers? Not just because of how we did under him last season but also because of his obvious quality and pedigree as a manager? Even if we had a really poor league season like West Ham did last year, I'd be minded to accept it instead of sacking him because in all honesty, we're not going to be able to get anybody better quality than him.

I'm 100% on board and even if we get off to a slow start and get bogged down in competitions this year I'll still have faith. Unai is a proven quality manager and has an incredible workrate. I would happily wait years of upper mid table/Europa conference for the club to build something great.

 

Look at what Fergie achieved at United with sustained support. The first 6 or so years weren't great and I think they won a domestic cup and that was it.

Edited August 19, 2023 by juteface

[Pinebro]

I am prepared to go down with the ship with emery but it won't come to that. 

[ChesterDad]

I don’t honestly believe that even this man is aware yet of his best team  - I just feel for the team that we play when it does all come together.

This team at the moment does not have any boundaries for the reason above

[DJBOB]

6 hours ago, villan95 said:

 

The discussion turns to the squad depth in pre-season, even how the absences of Jhon Duran and Leander Dendoncker robbed Villa of competition for places. After a pause, Emery shuts it down himself. "These are excuses. We did not lose because of it."

Why did they lose?

"Newcastle showed us they are better than us," he says.

"They were faster, stronger in the duels, more aggressive in attack and they won because they were better. We were less in the duels, less in the runs, less aggressive than them. This is the reason. Tactically, as well, we took some wrong decisions."

This is why I’m not too worried about Newcastle and why Unai will be the one to deliver trophies. 
 
Even though Unai is a genius and knows better than us fans, most of us can typically identify in review why we’ve lost a match. 
 
But a lot of coaches will give typical PR answers or worse, like Gerrard, not even understand why we lost. 
 
Unai states it plain and tacitly admits of his own wrongdoing tactically. I’m sure the rematch at VP will be much different and his career record of not falling into losing streaks (like a certain Dean Smirh) is a testament to his steadfast resoluteness in trusting his tactical acumen and improving the players he has. 

[Jas10]

6 hours ago, villan95 said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12942850/unai-emery-interview-tyrone-mings-injury-tactics-and-psychology-after-newcastle-and-why-he-is-still-aiming-high

Unai Emery interview: Tyrone Mings’ injury, tactics and psychology after Newcastle, and why he is still aiming high

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Unai Emery talks tactics and psychology after the injuries to Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings – and why Villa are still aiming high; watch Aston Villa vs Everton live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm

By Adam Bate, Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal

  11:40, UK, Saturday 19 August 2023

The season had been keenly anticipated at Aston Villa, a series of exciting signings helping to build the best squad that younger supporters can remember. That optimism has been shaken by one thumping defeat at Newcastle and two serious injuries.

Losing 5-1 would have been chastening regardless but it came against the backdrop of Emiliano Buendia's cruciate ligament injury and included talisman Tyrone Mings suffering the same fate during the game. It was a sombre journey back from St James' Park.

Speaking to Unai Emery in a breakout room after his press conference on Friday, the conversation begins by asking if he has ever known a team suffer such misfortunate. Typically, he offers the factual response rather than surrender to hyperbole.

"Real Madrid," Emery tells Sky Sports. "Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao." Still, he acknowledges that the situation is "strange, unusual" and he cannot ignore the human impact of such injuries on his entire squad. "Emotionally, it is always hard," he adds.

"It is the worst news. Firstly, for the players. Secondly, for the team because they are important players who are not going to be playing for a long time. The players are in contact every day, they are friends, they are team-mates. It needs time to recover the stability."

In the aftermath, players, staff and supporters look to one person for leadership. At Villa, that person is Emery. "As a coach, you have to try to show calm." He took time to process it, however. "I needed Sunday and Monday to react." And then, he formulated his response. "By being demanding," he says. No excuses. That is the mantra.

"If we are only making excuses in bad circumstances I think the reaction would possibly be worse," he explains. "We always have to be in control of ourselves and accept it. When news comes we find solutions quickly. The opportunities are there for other players."

Emery may be reluctant to use the mitigating circumstances as an excuse but they are plain for all to see. It is not only Mings and Buendia who are now missing through injury but Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey, four of his likely starting line-up. "This is the reality."

The discussion turns to the squad depth in pre-season, even how the absences of Jhon Duran and Leander Dendoncker robbed Villa of competition for places. After a pause, Emery shuts it down himself. "These are excuses. We did not lose because of it."

Why did they lose?

"Newcastle showed us they are better than us," he says.

"They were faster, stronger in the duels, more aggressive in attack and they won because they were better. We were less in the duels, less in the runs, less aggressive than them. This is the reason. Tactically, as well, we took some wrong decisions."

Villa's high defensive line has come under scrutiny, although it was the lack of pressure on the ball higher up the pitch that contributed to their problems at Newcastle - albeit against one of the more physically intense opponents in European football right now.

The injury to Mings would also seem to put an end to the tentative plans that had been floated to use new signing Pau Torres as a de facto left-back in the build-up phase. Tactical flexibility has long been a priority for Emery, but does this now limit his options?

He does not anticipate it altering his approach too much. "We are trying to play with our shape, building with two or a third centre-back playing low as a right full-back. We will not change a lot, we will react by trying to be stronger with the same structure."

He talks of the need to "improve the players" through his incessant work on the training ground. The signing of Nicolo Zaniolo shows Villa are prepared to turn to the transfer market to rebalance the squad. More incomings are possible by the end of the month.

"Without Tyrone and Emiliano the squad is weaker," he says. "We want to finish the transfer window with a strong structure in our squad because we want to be competitive in all competitions. We have to be aware and ready if something could improve our squad."

Before that, there is the visit of Everton. It will be a different challenge, tactically and psychologically, to the one Villa faced at Newcastle. "Firstly, it is different because it is at home." But he is not underestimating Everton. "They deserved to beat Fulham."

When did he watch it? "Monday," he replies. With others still ruminating on defeat, his own process had begun. "Now I am going through it again with the club analysts, looking at their structure. I will go through the final details with the players on Sunday morning."

He is, he points out, just a man "trying to build a team" but that work has captured the imagination, with European football returning to Villa Park and talk of a first trophy since 1996. The message from Emery is that he wants everyone at Villa to keep believing.

"When I am sending some messages, it is because we have to put our level high," he explains. "We have to try to put it high. As. High. As. Possible. And then try to get it. That is the only message that I have for myself, for my players and for the supporters.

And if they do not reach it? "The supporters have to control their frustration too. Because we are going to be very demanding. But the frustration is not the same if you aim high. And, if we are not getting there as soon as possible, we will get there in the long term."

I love this man

Such a breath of fresh air and leagues beyond much of the dross we have appointed in the past.

A man of principles and integrity.

We are so lucky.

[TRO]

45 minutes ago, DJBOB said:

This is why I’m not too worried about Newcastle and why Unai will be the one to deliver trophies. 
 
Even though Unai is a genius and knows better than us fans, most of us can typically identify in review why we’ve lost a match. 
 
But a lot of coaches will give typical PR answers or worse, like Gerrard, not even understand why we lost. 
 
Unai states it plain and tacitly admits of his own wrongdoing tactically. I’m sure the rematch at VP will be much different and his career record of not falling into losing streaks (like a certain Dean Smirh) is a testament to his steadfast resoluteness in trusting his tactical acumen and improving the players he has. 

I was heartened by his admissions, and its reassuring to hear him identify the shortfalls.

The first sign of getting something right, is openly admitting it was wrong in the first place...He has done that, so its over to getting it right.

[Jas10]

Just now, TRO said:

I was heartened by his admissions, and its reassuring to hear him identify the shortfalls.

The first sign of getting something right, is openly admitting it was wrong in the first place...He has done that, so its over to getting it right.

So refreshing isn’t it? What a guy…

You just know he’s gonna get it right and not look for stupid excuses or throw a hissy fit… honesty and hard work abound…

An incredible manager with little to no ego… what a rarity…

[TRO]

21 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

I love this man

Such a breath of fresh air and leagues beyond much of the dross we have appointed in the past.

A man of principles and integrity.

We are so lucky.

He is a manager, who dispels the frustration of a defeat, like last week, by his analytical views, being honest and candid.

IMO He was spot on with his references to the game.

[Jas10]

Just now, TRO said:

He is a manager, who dispels the frustration of a defeat, like last week, by his analytical views, being honest and candid.

IMO He was spot on with his references to the game.

Yep… he knows his stuff and there is no messing…

I’m often shocked at the realisation that we actually and finally have an expert, an elite coach and manager, in charge of the football club we adore..

We adore you too Unai…

[TRO]

7 minutes ago, Jas10 said:

So refreshing isn’t it? What a guy…

You just know he’s gonna get it right and not look for stupid excuses or throw a hissy fit… honesty and hard work abound…

An incredible manager with little to no ego… what a rarity…

Like you allude to Jas....I think so many in the past, just simply didn't know what was wrong, so they couldn't put it right.

UE has come out and nailed it, he has owned, all what went wrong, in that game. I have every confidence now, he will put it right.

Edited August 19, 2023 by TRO

[TRO]

1 hour ago, DJBOB said:

This is why I’m not too worried about Newcastle and why Unai will be the one to deliver trophies. 
 
Even though Unai is a genius and knows better than us fans, most of us can typically identify in review why we’ve lost a match. 
 
But a lot of coaches will give typical PR answers or worse, like Gerrard, not even understand why we lost. 
 
Unai states it plain and tacitly admits of his own wrongdoing tactically. I’m sure the rematch at VP will be much different and his career record of not falling into losing streaks (like a certain Dean Smirh) is a testament to his steadfast resoluteness in trusting his tactical acumen and improving the players he has. 

The Newcastle game was a game to learn from....I'm sure we will, and it might be a blessing in disguise.

[TRO]

16 hours ago, villan95 said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12942850/unai-emery-interview-tyrone-mings-injury-tactics-and-psychology-after-newcastle-and-why-he-is-still-aiming-high

Unai Emery interview: Tyrone Mings’ injury, tactics and psychology after Newcastle, and why he is still aiming high

In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Unai Emery talks tactics and psychology after the injuries to Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings – and why Villa are still aiming high; watch Aston Villa vs Everton live on Sky Sports this Sunday from 1pm; kick-off 2pm

By Adam Bate, Comment and Analysis @ghostgoal

  11:40, UK, Saturday 19 August 2023

The season had been keenly anticipated at Aston Villa, a series of exciting signings helping to build the best squad that younger supporters can remember. That optimism has been shaken by one thumping defeat at Newcastle and two serious injuries.

Losing 5-1 would have been chastening regardless but it came against the backdrop of Emiliano Buendia's cruciate ligament injury and included talisman Tyrone Mings suffering the same fate during the game. It was a sombre journey back from St James' Park.

Speaking to Unai Emery in a breakout room after his press conference on Friday, the conversation begins by asking if he has ever known a team suffer such misfortunate. Typically, he offers the factual response rather than surrender to hyperbole.

"Real Madrid," Emery tells Sky Sports. "Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao." Still, he acknowledges that the situation is "strange, unusual" and he cannot ignore the human impact of such injuries on his entire squad. "Emotionally, it is always hard," he adds.

"It is the worst news. Firstly, for the players. Secondly, for the team because they are important players who are not going to be playing for a long time. The players are in contact every day, they are friends, they are team-mates. It needs time to recover the stability."

In the aftermath, players, staff and supporters look to one person for leadership. At Villa, that person is Emery. "As a coach, you have to try to show calm." He took time to process it, however. "I needed Sunday and Monday to react." And then, he formulated his response. "By being demanding," he says. No excuses. That is the mantra.

"If we are only making excuses in bad circumstances I think the reaction would possibly be worse," he explains. "We always have to be in control of ourselves and accept it. When news comes we find solutions quickly. The opportunities are there for other players."

Emery may be reluctant to use the mitigating circumstances as an excuse but they are plain for all to see. It is not only Mings and Buendia who are now missing through injury but Alex Moreno and Jacob Ramsey, four of his likely starting line-up. "This is the reality."

The discussion turns to the squad depth in pre-season, even how the absences of Jhon Duran and Leander Dendoncker robbed Villa of competition for places. After a pause, Emery shuts it down himself. "These are excuses. We did not lose because of it."

Why did they lose?

"Newcastle showed us they are better than us," he says.

"They were faster, stronger in the duels, more aggressive in attack and they won because they were better. We were less in the duels, less in the runs, less aggressive than them. This is the reason. Tactically, as well, we took some wrong decisions."

Villa's high defensive line has come under scrutiny, although it was the lack of pressure on the ball higher up the pitch that contributed to their problems at Newcastle - albeit against one of the more physically intense opponents in European football right now.

The injury to Mings would also seem to put an end to the tentative plans that had been floated to use new signing Pau Torres as a de facto left-back in the build-up phase. Tactical flexibility has long been a priority for Emery, but does this now limit his options?

He does not anticipate it altering his approach too much. "We are trying to play with our shape, building with two or a third centre-back playing low as a right full-back. We will not change a lot, we will react by trying to be stronger with the same structure."

He talks of the need to "improve the players" through his incessant work on the training ground. The signing of Nicolo Zaniolo shows Villa are prepared to turn to the transfer market to rebalance the squad. More incomings are possible by the end of the month.

"Without Tyrone and Emiliano the squad is weaker," he says. "We want to finish the transfer window with a strong structure in our squad because we want to be competitive in all competitions. We have to be aware and ready if something could improve our squad."

Before that, there is the visit of Everton. It will be a different challenge, tactically and psychologically, to the one Villa faced at Newcastle. "Firstly, it is different because it is at home." But he is not underestimating Everton. "They deserved to beat Fulham."

When did he watch it? "Monday," he replies. With others still ruminating on defeat, his own process had begun. "Now I am going through it again with the club analysts, looking at their structure. I will go through the final details with the players on Sunday morning."

He is, he points out, just a man "trying to build a team" but that work has captured the imagination, with European football returning to Villa Park and talk of a first trophy since 1996. The message from Emery is that he wants everyone at Villa to keep believing.

"When I am sending some messages, it is because we have to put our level high," he explains. "We have to try to put it high. As. High. As. Possible. And then try to get it. That is the only message that I have for myself, for my players and for the supporters.

And if they do not reach it? "The supporters have to control their frustration too. Because we are going to be very demanding. But the frustration is not the same if you aim high. And, if we are not getting there as soon as possible, we will get there in the long term."

 

[dufresne1947]

Another thing that I really like about Emery is the lack of excuses he makes (as observed in the interview in previous posts)

I’m fairly certain that last season I heard every single premier league manager make an excuse or comment on a refereeing decision or performance.

I can’t remember Emery ever doing this, he just makes it about what he and the players can control.

 

Unfortunately, it certainly won’t stop me from moaning about refereeing decisions and performances though.

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

18 hours ago, HalfTimePost said:

TLDR: Emery is asking us to remain chill and not panic and get frustrated.

 

Exactly.

I've always said there will be ups and downs, from the beginning. There may even be a period of lows where things look bleak ( Hopefully not obs )

However, we need to have faith in the bigger picture and see what is being built here in the long term.

[est1874]

When I listen to Unai speak, I immediately feel like an inferior piece of shit human being, like I have never properly grasped football in my 37 years of watching and playing it, and that I'm a coward excuse of a man with no fortitude.

Harsh light of day stuff; all true compared to him.

What a man.

Edited August 20, 2023 by est1874

[JAMAICAN-VILLAN]

30 minutes ago, TRO said:

 

How refreshing and honest, no excuses.

" They showed they were better than us " ( On the day )

" They were faster, stronger and more agressive "

" Tactically, we took some wrong decisions ".

He's not shying away from responsibility.

Positive is, window is still open and he knows what we need, both innew signings, and both with our current players.

Edited August 20, 2023 by JAMAICAN-VILLAN

[TRO]

37 minutes ago, TRO said:

 

 

8 minutes ago, JAMAICAN-VILLAN said:

How refreshing and honest, no excuses.

" They showed they were better than us " ( On the day )

" They were faster, stronger and more agressive "

" Tactically, we took some wrong decisions ".

He's not shying away from responsibility.

Positive is, window is still open and he knows what we need, both innew signings, and both with our current players.

it's so candid of him to come out with what some of us can see anyway....It shows courage and bravery to face up to things.

Its also reassuring, that he is not afraid to say it, and even more reassuring to him being commited to fixing it.

being in semi denial as some of the podcasters are, doesn't make the issues go away....It just frustrates fans who are prepared to debate it.

Bravo to UE for being open and honest with us.

[Reivax_Villa]

Unai will be getting my support regardless of how we perform this season.

He is here for the long haul..

Let’s ride this one out together!

[Jas10]

Breaking records, curses and stigmas left, right and centre…

what a guy:

 

Edited August 20, 2023 by Jas10