Unai Emery met with the media at Bodymoor Heath on Thursday afternoon to preview Aston Villa's clash against Tottenham Hotpsur.
The Villans host Spurs in the club's final home match of the season aiming to set a club-record sequence of 18 matches unbeaten at Villa Park in the Premier League era.
And the Villa manager spoke to local and national media outlets at the club's training base ahead of the game, discussing Friday night's encounter in B6, the stern test he expects from Ange Postecoglou's side, the positive impact Villa fans can have under the lights and much more.
You can read the key lines from his pre-match press conference below...
On how he’s feeling ahead of run-in…
“I am wishing to play.
“I don’t want holidays because we’re in a very good moment after a long season, but now we’re very, very motivated.
“Very excited to play at Villa Park tomorrow, for our objectives we have in front of us to play again in Europe.
“It’s not in our hands but we can have some options to play Champions League again.
“And focusing on Tottenham because I know the most difficult way we can have is our own way, playing against Tottenham tomorrow and how we can beat them.”
On a tough test he’s expecting from Tottenham…
“Of course, they are trying to manage to play Premier League and to play Europa League.
“How they are performing in the Europa League is really fantastic.
“They’re in the final, and how they can prepare as well as possible for the final maybe is their first objective tomorrow.
“I think they’re going to play with their better players, they are going to try to compete getting their best performances to be ready for the final.
“As well, because to play in the Premier League each match, for the supporters, for the league, is always important.
“I expect of them the best preparations for tomorrow and for the final they’re going to play, with the best players they have.
“Maybe some players are coming back after being injured or someone is not available tomorrow.
“But I know tomorrow we have to play our best and we have to focus 100 per cent in our gameplan, for 90 minutes, respecting them.”
On permutations for last two matches…
“I can’t waste time with some calculations about how it’s going.
“I was thinking, and doing the calculations, two, three, four, five, six matches before we weren’t arriving until now with the opportunity we have.
“Only tomorrow’s match, only tomorrow’s three points, only how we can beat tomorrow’s opponent, how we can add more points in the table.
“This is our responsibility, this is our focus and this is, really, how I can speak with the players, how we are preparing for the match tomorrow.
“Enjoy and be motivated, excited with our supporters, how important the match is tomorrow and the opponent we’re going to face tomorrow.
“We’ll need the supporters transmitting us their energy, their wishes. We have to connect tomorrow in Villa Park again with our supporters.
“Enjoy playing, competing and doing our best.”
On the impact of Villa fans under the lights…
“Last week we were speaking about the timings and the schedule, I was thinking for our supporters, for them to play the weekend was maybe easier for them.
“After it, tomorrow is a good time, 7.30pm, Friday before the weekend.
“All supporters can come to the stadium to be with us at Villa Park.
“Hopefully the stadium will be, again, full with supporters.
“We need everybody helping us and supporting us and trying to get our best through them.
“Our commitment with the supporters is a huge commitment, trying to share our moment with them.”
