Unai Emery says Donyell Malen is obtainable to make his Aston Villa debut in opposition to Arsenal.
Malen sealed a swap to Villa Park earlier this week for a reported £21million and has been coaching along with his new team-mates this week.
The versatile Dutch ahead, who can function in all three positions behind the striker, gives Emery’s males with an additional increase in assault as they contiunue to problem within the Premier League and Champions League.
Emery stated: “He’s normally taking part in as a quantity seven and generally as a quantity 11 on the left facet, whereas he can even play as a quantity ten.
“Within the attacking third, he’s all the time near stepping into the opponent’s field to attain objectives and get assists. We’ll want a participant like him attempting to threaten the opponent in behind.”
Villa turning a nook
Villa ended a run of 5 consecutive away defeats with a 1-0 win over Everton on Wednesday courtesy of Ollie Watkins’ winner at Goodison Park, whereas they’ve additionally kicked off the 12 months with three straight wins.
Emery added: “We are able to really feel just a little little bit of confidence after we gained in Everton, however the problem tomorrow is to be aggressive. Via being aggressive, we could be near taking an excellent consequence.
“Arsenal tomorrow might be very, very tough. Each match we face is being very, very tough – in Everton as nicely.
“We’re getting ready the match, we’re very motivated and we’re going to attempt to play, bettering issues we did in Everton and bettering issues we did away within the final matches in opposition to high groups within the Premier League.
“Tomorrow we play one of many candidates and favourites to win the Premier League.”
Unai Emery: “We are able to really feel just a little little bit of confidence after we gained in Everton, however the problem tomorrow is once more to attempt to be aggressive. Via being aggressive, we could be near taking an excellent consequence.” pic.twitter.com/uwdGUgXMWv
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 17, 2025
Emirates return
Emery returns to the Emirates on Saturday for the primary time for the reason that former Arsenal supervisor’s facet ended the Gunners’ title hopes with a 2-0 victory in April final 12 months.
“That is totally different circumstances [to Villa’s win against Arsenal last season]. That second was a really particular circumstance for them and for us as a result of they had been very concerned within the Champions League in opposition to Bayern Munich and we had been as nicely within the Convention League.
“We competed very nicely in that second in 90 minutes and we gained, nevertheless it was very tough. This 12 months it’s totally different circumstances. There aren’t many issues much like final 12 months, it’s going to be totally different and we’ve got to attempt to play, competing with the thought we’ve got.
“We now have to construct the staff like we’re doing and attempt to get confidence and good emotions. Particular person gamers have to really feel assured, and that is the match we’ve got tomorrow.”
Villa harm information
Updating on Villa’s harm information, Emery stated: “Pau Torres is out and never accessible, John McGinn is coaching on the sphere however not [ready for] tomorrow.
“Ross Barkley continues to be out. Diego Carlos within the medical report shouldn’t be feeling good and I believe he gained’t be [involved] tomorrow.”
