Unai Emery declared Aston Villa were “not a top five contender” in a bizarre interview after their side lost 1-0 to Everton.
Villa missed an opportunity to put pressure on Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Because as soon as they started their day, it was over. They are seven points behind the Gunners, who drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Emery expressed his frustration in his post-match interview. sky sportsGiving a one-word answer and even remaining silent when asked why Villa can’t compete with the top Premier League sides.
“We are not a contender to be in the top five. We are still not a contender,” he said.
“There are teams with more potential than us.”
Back in the studio, pundit and former Villa player Ashley Young labeled the interview “bizarre” and Jamie Redknapp was equally bemused, calling Emery’s attitude “bizarre”.
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WATCH FREE: Highlights from Everton’s win over Aston Villa in the Premier League
“He looked really upset, maybe because of the injury, he was listed along with John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana were missing,” Young said.
“Is it the sale of Doniel Malen? Is he telling the owners I need more players?
“It was a strange interview. You thought he would talk more about the game and the missed opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal.
“It was strange to say there were five teams with more potential.”
Redknapp added: “It was definitely one of the strangest interviews I’ve ever seen. He got quiet at the end. It was a very reasonable question.
“I don’t know what he’s trying to imply. Maybe he’s genuinely shocked by the performance and the results. They need players.”
“We saw them on the bench. They were short. They had no choice. Harvey Elliott didn’t work out and wasn’t on the bench. Jadon Sancho was sick.”
“Bubbaka Kamara is expected to be out for a long period of time and John McGinn has a knee problem. They will need to strengthen their midfield area.”
The timing of Malen’s departure is questionable.
The decision is aston villa impose sanctions Doniel Mallens move to Rome The question was raised this week.
The deal is an initial loan with an option to buy and comes ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rodgers had difficult afternoons at Villa Park and Emery’s bench options were limited.
Speaking of joint commentary, S‘K Sports’ Chris Sutton Said: “One thing I don’t quite understand… Malen may have always gone to Roma, but why sell him at the beginning of this month when there is no replacement?
“He has influenced many of Villa’s games this season.”
It was the point Sky Sports’ redknapp Picked up after full time.
“Malen leaving in midweek felt like a really strange decision when you look at the substitutes bench, they had no choice today,” he said.
