‘Newcastle United are performing fantastic, doing fantastic in the Champions League…’ Unai Emery

Unai Emery Newcastle United’s press conference has taken place.

The Aston Villa manager speaks ahead of Sunday’s match on Tyneside

Unai Emery states: “We have to recover after the match we played yesterday [in Turkey against Fenerbahce] and we must gain focus and consistency in our preparation to meet our demands.

Newcastle United with the advantages of playing a day earlier in Europe and at home this midweek.

After losing 5-1 and 3-0 at St James’ Park over the past two seasons, Unai Emery said: “Newcastle is always very difficult at home. Historically it’s been terrible for us in recent years, really bad results. Every game, every season, every moment is an opportunity. I’m looking forward to seeing how we stack up against them on Sunday.”

Aston Villa have actually only won twice at St James’ Park in the entire Premier League era, the most recent of which was 21 years ago.

Before facing Fenerbahce, Aston Villa lost 1-0 at Villa Park last weekend, Unai Emery explains: “Now our focus is on the Premier League [after Fenerbahce in the Europa League] and in the Premier League we lost a very good chance at home against Everton on Sunday, but we have to accept it.”

Aston Villa and Newcastle United have emerged as the two clubs most likely to want to break open the half-dozen clubs that have conspired to build such a financial advantage over the rest.

Unai Emery on the fluctuating fortunes of the two teams/clubs: “Newcastle are a challenge and a strong challenge. They started the season as contenders to finish in the top positions for Europe and the Champions League.”

This midweek saw another dominant home win in the Champions League for Newcastle, a 3-0 over PSV, with the Villa boss adding: “Newcastle United are doing fantastic, in the Champions League they are doing fantastic, and at home they feel confident and strong. The way we are facing them, looking at the advantage we have in the points table, gives us confidence. They started as a top five contender, we didn’t start as a top five contender, now we are… we are a team to try and beat.”