Hansi Flick and Anthony Gordon both spoke of their admiration for Aston Villa ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Barcelona
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Hansi Flick and Anthony Gordon have both described Unai Emery as one of the best coaches in the world, with Barcelona determined not to take Aston Villa lightly ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash.
Emery’s side have won all three of their opening league phase matches this season, against Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Viking FK. Barcelona, meanwhile, beat Feyenoord and Galatasaray, scoring nine goals in the process, before suffering defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Catalan giants are also dealing with several defensive injuries and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 Champions League matches - the longest such run in the club’s history.
Much of the pre-match discussion centred on Barcelona’s defensive record under Flick and their two defeats this season, against PSG and, more recently, Real Madrid. Those results have added to the focus on Tuesday’s difficult test against Villa, with a trip to Atletico Madrid to follow this weekend.
“Our focus is on this game. Today and tomorrow, we will only focus on the game against Aston Villa,” Flick said. “We are playing against a fantastic team, and it is a big moment for them. Emery is one of the best coaches in Europe.
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“He has a clear idea of how to play in offence and defence, and I appreciate a lot of what I see. It is the Champions League, and every game is special. Every opponent in the Champions League has quality as well. It will be a tough game.
“We know that anything can happen at this level. We want to reach the first eight in the league phase table. This is our goal and this is an important match.”
Asked about his side’s leaky defence, Flick explained: "I have to be calm because you have to see this. We have Xavi Espart out, Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Andres Christensen out. When you see the quality of these players, it is not normal to manage this very easily.
“What I see from my team is Frenkie de Jong arriving back from injury, and he said it will help in the defence and it is the same for Brian Farinas. We are sticking together and managing this. After the break I hope everyone is back and Olmo too.
“Aston Villa and Atletico are two big games. We have a lot of quality to achieve our goals, to win the La Liga and the Champions League. We can write history and we are working very hard every day.
“Nothing changes about that after losing to Real Madrid and PSG. It is normal that there is more focus on this in the media. If I was on your side I would do the same, talk about the weaknesses you might have.”
Former Everton and Newcastle winger Gordon spoke to the press ahead of Flick and warned that he considers Villa one of the most physical teams in the Premier League.
"They are a very good team. They have one of the best coaches in the world right now and have great players. They are on a great run as of late, so it will be a difficult game,” he said.
Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon
Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
“They are one of the teams who are always in a game and are always ready for any type of game. It will be a very tough challenge. English teams are very physical, and I have played against Villa before.
“They are one of the most physical teams in the league and have great players. I try to remain the same and remain consistent with motivation, so the fact they are English doesn't make it any bigger for me.”
Emery celebrates his 55th birthday on Tuesday, and there would be no better way to mark the occasion than by seeing Villa take a positive result away from the Camp Nou.
“I said before that he is one of the best coaches in Europe and the world,” Flick said. “He is very successful. In the way his team plays, you can see a clear structure, and in offence, they have different patterns. For me, it is amazing to see his team.
“The start was not easy [this season], but they came back. You can see the confidence they have on the ball, how they play out, and (Nicolas) Jackson is at an unbelievable level. For us, it will be a tough game against a good team and, as well, a great coach.”
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