Unai Emery knows just how important his select few available midfielders will be during the Premier League run-in.placeholder image
Unai Emery knows just how important his select few available midfielders will be during the Premier League run-in. | Getty Images
What Unai Emery said after Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth says a lot about where his mind is at ahead of the Premier League crescendo.
Unai Emery has admitted his select few available midfielders could be the difference between success and failure during the Premier League run-in.
Villa, now looking vulnerable to in-form teams below them in the table following Saturday’s 1-1 draw away at AFC Bournemouth, must dig in to ensure all their hard graft doesn’t go to waste. The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea are on a roll and could catch Villa in the upcoming weeks, but Emery’s men still have the advantage in the standings.
Although it will take a huge team effort to get over the line and achieve the goal of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League, Emery is well aware that one department in particular will have much of the pressure. That department is, of course, the midfield – under severe pressure after being torn apart by injuries.
Villa midfielders have ‘huge responsibility’, says Emery
Emery is without Boubacar Kamara for the rest of the season and will be fortunate to see Youri Tielemans and John McGinn back before April. Any more injuries in the centre of the park would be devastating, so there’s not only a lot of pressure for the midfielders to perform, but also to stay fit.
On that topic, Emery told Birmingham World after the Bournemouth draw: “Douglas Luiz, (Amadou) Onana, (Ross) Barkley and (Lamare) Bogarde have a huge responsibility to replace the injured players - McGinn, Tielemans and Kamara.
“Those three are here for a long time and were performing here in high demands being successful. Now, Onana must be consistent, trying to avoid injuries. He played a fantastic match. We needed him from defensive set-pieces.”
Douglas Luiz can play key role
Of those available in the midfield double pivot, Juventus loanee Luiz could be the most important of the lot. The Brazilian, back at the club until the end of the season 19 months on from his £42 million Juve transfer, is determined to help Villa achieve their goals.
Luiz, despite defeat to Brentford, was excellent on his homecoming at Villa Park. He was also a bright spark at the Vitality Stadium, effective on the half-turn and threatening from set pieces. Emery really needs Luiz to stay fit and build on from his first two performances. It could be the difference between finishing in the Premier League top five or not.
“After one year and a half away from here, Luiz is needed, to recover him doing the tasks in our demands,” Emery told Birmingham World. “He improved from the first match, but there is still work to do to get his best.”
Meanwhile, on Luiz’s midfield counterparts, Emery added: “Barkley is a fantastic player and he is getting fit again. He is getting confidence and will be important for us. Bogarde is always versatile and helps us. To replace the players we had before, it is very important.”
Villa don’t have long until their next Premier League encounter, as they play host to the underwhelming Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on Wednesday night. Emery’s men then take on Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round - also on home soil - three days later.
Continue Reading