Unai Emery spoke to members of the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
With just over 24 hours to go until kick-off against Leicester City at Villa Park, the head coach gave his thoughts on facing the Foxes, offered an update on the fitness of his squad and shared an insight into some of the club's decisions during the transfer window.
Here’s what he had to say…
On team news…
“John McGinn is going to be in the squad – in the 20 players we will have tomorrow. Diego Carlos is close to starting to train with us but, of course, he won’t play tomorrow.
“Lucas Digne has trained as normal with us this week. Bertrand Traoré is coming next week to start training progressively with us. Jed Steer is not yet ready.”
On recalling Bertrand Traoré from loan…
“I am sure and I am so convinced about his quality, and how much he can help us from now until the end of the season.
“We were following some players and analysing if they are better than the players we have or better than the possibility to have Bertrand Traoré back again.
“We decided that if we don’t have a possibility to sign a player who can improve our squad, improve our wingers, then we were sure – don’t do it.
“At the end [of the transfer window], I am so happy because I think we have players with big commitment and showing us good performances.”
On Jhon Durán’s start to life at Villa…
“I can’t give him the responsibility and pressure now, but he’s a professional. He was playing in the MLS and that’s not like here in the Premier League but he’s training very well.
“He’s hungry to build up quickly and he’s learning quickly from his teammates. He has the possibility to play minutes tomorrow and to make his debut.”
Emery added: “Jhon Durán is going to improve and grow up with us. He’s going to play matches and get minutes.
“He’s going to be on the pitch and training with us every day. We signed him without wanting to give him the responsibility to be our striker in the starting XI, but if he will show us he’s ready to do it, I will do it.”
On Leicester City…
“This season they started with a bit more doubt with their results, but they have a very good coach (Brendan Rodgers). He’s shown in the past, and he will show again, his capacity.
“They have very good players but maybe they are in a moment where they don’t feel 100% confident.
“In 90 minutes they play very good matches and they can have very good performances individually. They are towards the bottom of the table and they are going to try and win against us.
“We are playing at home, at Villa Park, and we need points because we can get into the top ten. I respect a lot Leicester; I respect a lot the players; I respect a lot the coach.”
