Unai Emery reveals why it is a ‘privilege’ for Aston Villa to face Everton
Aston Villa fans are on the verge of seeing their team in action after a long international break.
Normally, the September international break is met with universal displeasure from football supporters as it seems to halt the excitement and momentum surrounding the new season.
For Villa fans, however, it came at a perfect time, with Unai Emery’s men losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace in their most recent fixture.
After picking up just the one point from their opening three games, Villa reinforced their squad on deadline day with the arrivals of Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho, and it looks as though the Villans’ Premier League campaign could be about to spring into action.
Aston Villa travel to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on 13 September to take on Everton, and Emery is already buzzing.
Unai Emery complimentary of Everton ahead of Premier League clash
Although Villa are the favourites over Everton on Saturday, Emery and Co. will be firmly aware of the task at hand.
Former Villa captain Jack Grealish has been on fire for the Toffees since his loan move from Manchester City, and Emery will know that if he can keep Grealish quiet, their chances of winning the game increase drastically.
The Villans will be making their first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, with Emery claiming in his pre-match press conference that it is a “privilege” to play Everton.
- Everton have a 100% win ratio in their new stadium this season
- They have defeated Brighton 2-0 in the Premier League as well as Mansfield 2-0 in the Carabao Cup
- Villa will be looking to hand them their first loss in their new home
“They won the last two matches, playing fantastic. They won last time away at Wolverhampton, playing fantastic,” he said.
“I watched those matches, analysed those matches, and they’re playing good football. They have experienced players. It’s a club with a new stadium and they’re excited, the supporters, the players and the club.
“It’s the Premier League and I want to play matches like this. To play in Everton with the new stadium, for me, individually as a coach, it’s a privilege to be there.”
What did Unai Emery have to say about Emi Martinez ahead of the Everton game?
Perhaps the hottest talking point regarding the game at the weekend is around Martinez.
It is well reported that the goalkeeper attempted to leave Villa in the summer, but now he looks set to stay put for the upcoming season.
Whether the Argentinian will come straight back in the team in place of Marco Bizot remains to be seen, but Emery spoke glowingly about the 33-year-old despite the controversy surrounding him.
“Staying here, Emiliano Martínez, for me, it’s good news for us. I’m so, so happy. For me, he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. We have the best goalkeeper in the world,” Emery said.
Although the Spaniard seems to have moved on from Martinez’s antics this summer, it will be interesting to see what type of reception he gets from the travelling Villa supporters.
A safe guess would be that they may not be as forgiving as Emery, but three points on Merseyside against an in-form Everton would be a great start.
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