Unai Emery has said Aston Villa are preparing to face ‘the best team in the world’ in Manchester United this weekend.
Villa host Manchester United in a huge clash in the Premier League on Sunday, as Emery’s team look to build on a strong start to the season. The Villans are fifth in the Premier League table and have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, including a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in midweek.
The visitors arrive in contrasting mood with a tough start to the season having increased the pressure on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.
United are 13th in the Premier League table and blew a two-goal lead to draw at Porto in the Europa League in midweek. Despite that form, Emery outlined his respect for Ten Hag and dismissed the notion that Aston Villa are favourites.
“I have a lot of respect for him. We have lost the last four home and away games to them and they are a winning team. They beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“The club is usually a winning club. They are not getting consistent form in the Premier League but I have had to think about how I prepare for this match more than the Bayern Munich [game].
Aston Villa ‘not favourites to be in the top seven’
“We are not favourites to be in the top seven of the Premier League. We want to be a contender and we are in the process of getting points. We will have to see where we are in January/February. Winning matches is very important.
“I am learning every day but we want to have a strong mentality and play football that demands the opponent.
“Sunday is a huge match for us after Bayern Munich because we are playing the best team in the world. United are not in the Champions League, they are in Europa, but they are a team with quality players and coach.
“We will need the support like Wednesday at Villa Park. I have no doubt that they will be there and try to transmit their energy to help us get three points.”
