Unai Emery speaking in a Champions League press conference
Unai Emery speaking in a Champions League press conference
It has already been a busy week in claret and blue having travelled to Camp Nou in the Champions League on Tuesday.
A 3-0 defeat without a whimper wasn't necessarily expected, but also wasn't truly a surprise.
Anyone can lose to the best teams in the world, and the B6 outfit did.
Now a typically terrible Old Trafford visit lies in wait on Sunday.
Things usually go badly away to Manchester United, but Emery has two simple decision to make that could pay dividends, what are they?
Unai Emery can't show Manchester United any respect
Part of the problem away to Barca was the idea of having far too much admiration for the hosts.
The performance came across as if the Villans knew just how good their opponents were, so didn't play to their best.
Passing out from the back was nervous and ultimately led to their downfall within seven minutes.
It is summed up by the Catalan giants having 65 per cent of possession, while Villa only made one more tackle than the home side and won just 53 per cent of ground duels.
Those numbers should have been majorly boosted as that was always going to be key to causing a Camp Nou upset.
That same sentiment can't be showcased away at Old Trafford. It just can't.
Man United are in a terrible way right now, even after a comeback win over Roma in midweek, and need to be taken advantage of.
By showing respect to them at Old Trafford and allowing them to dictate play would be totally wrong and could cost the Villans massively.
That is where Emery could make another change from the Barca defeat.
Aston Villa must utilise wingers vs Manchester United
Hansi Flick utilised a crazy high line on Tuesday, and Villa still couldn't take advantage.
That was thanks to Emery's selection of John McGinn and Emi Buendia as his wide options.
Their lack of true pace made life easy for the hosts.
Alejandro Garnacho, Alysson and Ibrahim Mbaye were all on the bench and could have made a telling difference.
The latter eventually came on and proved that point by creating two chances and maintaining a 100 per cent dribble success rate.
With how bad Man United full-backs have been, why not give him a chance to prove himself in the Premier League.
It could prove to be the change in approach the Villans need and would be a sign that they aren't going to roll over for the Red Devils once again.
Just one win in 16 since 2010 at Old Trafford just isn't good enough, and it is on Emery to turn it around.