Leeds United will travel to Premier League rivals Aston Villa next Saturday afternoon.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has urged the Villa Park faithful to provide the ‘energy’ his side will need when they host Premier League rivals Leeds United on Saturday afternoon.
For Leeds, the trip to Villa Park will provide a significant challenge as they face a home side that are firmly in the race to secure Champions League football this season. Daniel Farke’s side will travel in good form after their cup win extended their recent record to just two defeats in 15 games in all competitions and there will be confidence they can collect at least a point to help them in their bid to avoid relegation this season.
Villa remain on the fringes of the title race after a stellar season in the Premier League and are actually just three points behind second placed Arsenal ahead of their meeting with Leeds. The cup exit at the hands of Newcastle is a major blow for Emery - but the Spanish boss is adamant the loss can help his side’s league form - with the aid of their supporters over the coming weeks and months.
He told the official Villa club website: “Firstly, I’m thankful for the supporters. It was really fantastic how they were transmitting their energy, we felt it. There were some fantastic moments when we started winning, we started in a good mood and good form.
“The players competed fantastic, but after we had the red card it was becoming more difficult in the second half. We continued competing and the supporters were helping us. We were being resilient, but when they scored their first goal, it was little bit more difficult. We tried but it was not enough. Newcastle is a really fantastic team, and they’re contenders in this competition.
“After we lost, with the circumstances we had with the red card, I think we must analyse this match and this competition and feel like we’re improving. Today, we’re not happy but I watched some things in the squad that can help us for the future in Europa League and Premier League. And the supporters with the energy they transmitted to us, we need it again next week against Leeds United.”
What did Daniel Farke say about Leeds United’s FA Cup win at Birmingham City?
CHANGES: From Leeds United boss Daniel Farke.placeholder image
CHANGES: From Leeds United boss Daniel Farke. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Speaking after the game, he told the YEP: “No question they (Birmingham) were better in the first half, they would have deserved to be in the lead. We brought many offensive players on, it could be the case if you don't dominate you're a bit outmuscled. Not too many positives in the first half although we were suffering we still found a way to keep a clean sheet. Perri with good saves, last row with many blocks.
“We changed our set-up and brought our captain Ethan Ampadu in, a bit more physicality, changed the base formation and won step by step more control. Better in pressing, well taken goal but they stayed in the game, was very tight, very competitive. It's football. They had too many corners and out of one we cleared it but a strike from 25 yards, deflected, goes in, 90th minute. I'm happy we showed resilience. We used penalties, well taken and Perri was again excellent."
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