Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is sticking by Jadon Sancho and is determined to get the best out of him in the second half of the season
Jadon Sancho is on loan at Aston Villa
Jadon Sancho is on loan at Aston Villa(Image: PA)
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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insists he still has complete faith in Jadon Sancho's abilities and is committed to unlocking the winger's potential during the remainder of the campaign. The 25-year-old, who is on loan from Manchester United and will therefore be unavailable to face his parent club this weekend, has yet to make a Premier League start under Emery and hasn't found the net since arriving at Villa on deadline day.
Sancho has, however, featured from the off in Villa's last four Europa League matches, though he is still awaiting his first assist for the club.
Sancho has demonstrated glimpses of his talent when coming off the bench, particularly against Arsenal a fortnight ago, when he kept possession alive in the build-up to Emi BuendÃa's late winner.
With the January transfer window looming, there has been talk that Villa might look to create room in their squad by terminating Sancho's loan early. However, Emery made his position on the winger crystal clear during his pre-United press conference.
"Jadon is still being young. He has had an amazing career and is now in a moment where he needs help to recover his best performance," the Villa boss said. "I have this challenge with him. He has this challenge with me as well. Of course, he is not playing all the minutes I think he has to.
"But in the second part of the season, I believe in him. He is really being demanding himself to try to get his best moment this season with us.
"Of course, on Sunday we are finishing December and then starting January soon. The first match back he will play is against Chelsea.
"He has that challenge with me and himself, and with the club as well. I believe in him and hopefully we can get it."
Villa are heading into their showdown with United on a winning streak, having triumphed in 15 of their last 17 matches, including nine straight victories, six of which were in the league - setting a new club record.
However, United have historically held the upper hand against Villa, securing 41 Premier League victories against them, 18 of those away from home. Only the Red Devils themselves have defeated a single opponent more frequently, both overall and away, with 42 total wins and 19 away victories against Everton.
When questioned if he had discussed Villa's poor track record against United with his team, Emery responded: "I like usually to share with the players the numbers we have. Our own numbers and also Aston Villa's numbers, also with the trophies they got in the past.
"The players can analyse better, sometimes - not the moment we are in now - but how is the history for the team. Those numbers really mean a lot. We are facing on Sunday Manchester United ... and it is Manchester United!".
"We must be motivated how we are now and how we are setting our objectives. We are third, but the reality is that we were at the bottom at the beginning.
"We are competing to be consistent in Europe and at the end of the season to try to get into a European position and also get trophies in different competitions.
"To be consistent and in the demands we are now, setting these demands every day higher, this is the way and the motivation we have.
"How we can achieve three points on Sunday? This is our motivation. Of course, we connect with our supporters at Villa Park fantastically, and the connection is the best quality we can have.
"There are lot things, individually and collectively, that give us confidence and motivation to help us get it again."
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