Dunk has eyes on Europe with Seagulls
Lewis Dunk believes Brighton have made “massive strides” and is hopeful he can lead his team out in a European competition.
The Seagulls face Aston Villa today and will be looking to make it three successive wins in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat Wolves 3-2 last weekend.
A win against Villa could see them go as high as fifth in the table and captain Dunk insisted that Brighton could be playing European football in the future.
“Hopefully we can play in Europe one day,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s going to happen now, but in the future I hope it does. Before I leave this club and retire hopefully I can lead the team out in a European game, but we’ll see what happens.
“You always want to play in the best competitions, to play at the best level you can to do that before I retire would be incredible. All I can do is try my hardest to make it happen.
“Where the club has come from to now it’s made massive strides – and we have many more to make.”
Dunk’s ambition is shared by manager Roberto De Zerbi, who after a shaky start to life on the south coast has steered Brighton to three successive wins in the league and cup.
“The supporters have to dream, the players, the coach and the club also,” he added.
Meanwhile, Emi Buendia has admitted he needs to deliver more goals and assists for Aston Villa.
The 25-year-old Argentina international missed out on a place in Lionel Scaloni’s final World Cup squad when it was named on Friday, and knows a lack of end product will have counted against him.
Buendia, whose importance to the team has grown while Philippe Coutinho is out injured, has a return of only one goal and no assists from 14 Premier League appearances this season.
He is not happy with those numbers and is determined to improve under new manager Unai Emery.
“I know how I work and how I try to do my stuff to help the team,” he said.
“I know I need to improve in terms of goals and assists. I just keep pushing to try and get goals and assists because then I can help the team improve.”