THE REEL DEAL
But Emery wants more from cast member Luiz
UNAI EMERY has told Douglas Luiz: “Give me more.”
The midfielder has been recalled to the Brazil squad for the first time in two years following a sparkling opening to the new campaign.
Luiz has been the fulcrum around which Villa have based their success this season.
But Emery has thrown down a challenge to the 25-year-old, saying that he can do better.
“He’s very important for us – I’m very happy for him – and with him,” he said.
“But I am very demanding with Douglas Luiz. Very demanding.
“I think he’s progressing, he’s playing well. He’s more consistent at home than away.
I’ve told him, ‘You are very important to us at Aston Villa. You are progressing well but you can do more – and I’m going to push you to do more.’
“I was very happy for him with his call-up to the national team. It’s important for him, for our club.
“But, he can improve. He can take more responsibility. He scores goals but he can add more assists.
“He can help our strikers more. He can be better on the ball.
“For example, at Nottingham Forest last week, I was waiting for him. “At other games away, at Wolverhampton, I think he could
do more. But every day in our analysis and our meetings, I demand a lot from everyone. Not just Douglas Luiz.”
Villa will equal a record stretching back 40 years if they can defeat the Cottagers at Villa Park this afternoon.
Victory will make it 13 successive triumphs at B6 – one short of the overall club landmark which was set back in 1932.
They have blasted 20 goals at home but only six on their travels. And while Emery is delighted with the current form, he knows there is still a puzzle to solve.
He added: “We are doing amazing at home. We’re feeling good with our structure, our fans, we are scoring goals. “Away is different for every team and it’s the same for us as well. I want to get our away performances the same as at home.
“I want to get better individual performances. That’s my challenge.”
‘He can improve. He scores goals but can add more assists’