WE’RE UP FOUR IT
Cash and Ramsey ARE on a Champions League mission ... no matter what the boss says!
UNAI EMERY will not like it – but Aston Villa players are having Champions League dreams.
Boss Emery has been keen to play down any suggestion that his club might gatecrash the top-four party at the end of this season.
He has been asked repeatedly about the possibility – especially following the 15-game winning streak at Villa Park.
But he refuses to heap any unnecessary pressure on his squad, saying: “We are contenders – but there are also seven others.”
However, it appears that while the Spaniard may be keen to underplay the situation, some of his first-teamers are not.
Right-back Matty Cash said Emery’s attention to detail marks him down as a special manager.
Cash (right) said: “As a group, we’ve learnt a lot from the manager. The attention to detail in his meetings is incredible and we have a lot of long ones – but it is working.
“The manager has talked to us about being confident – in terms of we’re a team that is here to stay and we are not here by luck.
“We’re among the top positions because we deserve to be there. We are striving to be better than we were last year when we qualified for Europe.
“I’m sure that, if we do that, then we’ll finish in the European positions again – or the Champions League.
“It’s a long way away. We’ve all got dreams that we want to achieve, but we just have to focus on the game ahead.“
Emery changed his squad for last Thursday’s draw against Zrinjski Mostar – eight of the players who started the victory over Arsenal were omitted.
Villa are halfway through a schedule that sees them play 10 games in five weeks before the New Year. But they are coping with the twin pressures, so far. Jacob Ramsey (below) echoed Cash’s feelings, insisting the Champions League is a justifiable target.
He said: “Right now, based on how we’re playing and the results, our aim should be the top four. If we can transfer our home form into the away fixtures, I don’t see why we can’t do that.” Emery will be forced to make changes for today’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium to play Brentford.
And, while his first-choice side have been largely consistent, he has been hit with suspension for two key performers.
Midfielder Douglas Luiz and defender Lucas Digne have been banned after picking up five bookings.
That leaves space for Spanish left-back Alex Moreno – fit following a lengthy injury lay-off – to resume first-team duties in defence, while Ramsey should deputise for Brazil international Luiz.