Unai Emery makes stance clear on Youri Tielemans after Aston Villa comments
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery responds to the comments made by Youri Tielemans on international duty
Unai Emery claims he is happy Youri Tielemans has questioned his lack of game time after joining Aston Villa on a free transfer in the summer.
The Belgian midfielder spoke with Emery before the September international break about his involvement in the first weeks of the campaign, and the Villa head coach promised him he will start more matches as the season unfolds. Villa could play well in excess of 50 matches this campaign in all competitions, and Tielemans was recruited as one of the five players to add strength in depth to Emery’s squad.
Tielemans is yet to start a Premier League match under Emery and the 26-year-old was asked about his start to life at Villa Park during the international break earlier this month.
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“The situation is not pleasant,” DH reported him saying (translated). “I told the manager that I came to Villa to play. He understands me, but at the moment, he prefers to play with the two midfielders from last season. He told me that soon, there will be a succession of games and I’ll get more playing time.
“I know that answer doesn’t help me move forward, but what should I do? Whenever I have an opportunity, I want to take it. So far, I have started once, in the Conference League.”
Niewsblad also reported Tielemans saying: “I may not start at Aston Villa, but I have attended every training session so far and played in every match. I have spoken to the manager of Aston Villa about the fact that I am not playing.
“He now chooses other players but it is up to me to do my best. He said there would still be opportunities to play. That explanation doesn’t help me much, but I hope I can show myself a little more in the coming weeks.”
Ahead of this weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace, Emery said of Tielemans’ comments: “Of course, we tried to increase our capacity in the squad as we are going to play a lot of players in the matches this year. I will need and we will need every player during the season and I like players when they are not playing asking how they can improve, how they can be close to starting in the starting XI.
“I am very happy with him and every player because I want to be competitive in each competition and strong in our squad. I am happy with the midfielders we have, with Kamara, Dendoncker, Luiz and Tielemans, Tim as well when he is coming after his injury. I think we can use him and he can help us. We want information about everyone to increase our level, then I am happy.”
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