Youri Tielemans makes new Unai Emery admission at Aston Villa, it explains a lot
Youri Tielemans has revealed Unai Emery’s “fanatical” coaching methods at Aston Villa as the reason for his first team resurgence this season.
The 27-year-old has become a regular starter this year after the summer departure of Douglas Luiz to Juventus and has established a formidable partnership with Amadou Onana in the midfield pivot.
Tielemans has Emery to thank for his impressive turnaround at Villa Park as the midfielder offered insight into how the boss’ methods have helped improve his performances in an interview with Belgian outlet Het Nieuwsblad [2 November].
He said: “The coach drilled his system into my head, then it was up to me. We have mainly refined my defensive work when I lose the ball.
“His coaching is very fanatical, and he goes into a lot of detail when it comes to football. I needed such a trainer.
“I think I have made a lot of progress, both technically, physically and defensively. Whether I’m over- or underestimated, I’ll let others discuss that.”
Youri Tielemans is becoming a key starter for Aston Villa
Tielemans endured an underwhelming campaign during Aston Villa’s Champions League qualifying season, starting only 53 per cent of Premier League matches when he was available for selection [Sofascore].
However, with Villa flying high in fourth place in the league and leading the Champions League league phase alongside Liverpool, the Belgian has played a vital role in helping the side prove last year’s success was no fluke.
He opened his side’s account in the Champions League in the 3-0 win against Swiss side Young Boys in September and has contributed four assists to coincide with his goal in 13 outings across all competitions thus far.
Still, his defensive work as mentioned in his interview has improved drastically this term, averaging a duel success rate of 59 per cent in the Premier League.
He also averaged 0.9 interceptions, 2.4 tackles and four ball recoveries per match, which is an increase and last season and highlights the improvements made.
Indeed. Tielemans also ranks in the top 10 percentile of all Premier League midfielders for successful tackles with 73 per cent, and the top percentile for tackles with 16 [Fotmob].
Youri Tielemans can make a statement for Aston Villa v Tottenham
Heading into a crucial clash against Tottenham in North London on Sunday [3 November], his defensive resilience will be required to stop the home side dead in their tracks.
Neither side has enjoyed particularly good fortune on the pitch as of late, but there is certainly bad blood between the sides heading into the fixture after Villa pipped Spurs to a fourth-placed finish last season.
While Onana is making a habit of being removed at half-time for Ross Barkley, Tielemans’ place in the midfield is set in stone, and rightfully so.
He has arguably failed to live up to his early promise since he arrived in England via Anderlecht, but the signs are there he is slowly becoming the player he was touted to become – a statement performance against Tottenham will truly cement his status as one of the best midfielders in the division.
In other Aston Villa news, Unai Emery makes rare misstep at Villa amid ‘strange’ development.
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