Emery calls Emirates clash ‘biggest test’

Unai Emery believes Villa AstonArsenal’s trip is the biggest test they will face this season as they continue their improbable title push. Premier League title.

The villas are just three points behind the championship leaders Arsenal after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Chelsea.

Emery’s men have won 11 consecutive matches in all competitions, including a dramatic 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the reverse fixture at Villa Park earlier this month.

A late goal from Emi Buendia was the difference in this contest, but Emery expects a tougher challenge in north London.

“They compete at the highest level of football,” Emery said of his former club.

“And to compete is to adapt to the opponent, to impose on the opponent, to impose your individual duels, to impose set pieces, to impose your structure tactically against the opponent.

“Of course, we played them here three weeks ago, and we showed our ability to respond, compete against them, and ultimately win the game.

“But [it] It was a really difficult match. We had to get our best performance collectively and individually, and even we had to show our mentality, winning (in) the last minute, and tomorrow, of course, it will be a different match.

“I think it will be a different game because they are playing at the Emirates, and they will feel stronger than away, with their fans, but this is our test now.

“We were talking about the tests we had at Chelsea, and of course we needed 90 minutes, we needed all the players and tomorrow I think with the circumstances we can have – because some players are not available for tomorrow – the same test.

“I think they are [Arsenal] favorites [to win the league]. How they build the team, how they improve a lot of things, more players in their team.

“Some players come back after being injured, like [Kai] Havertz and [Gabriel] Jesus, and of course, looks and can see them now, stronger.

“We are analyzing them to play tomorrow like we analyzed three weeks ago, and of course we also have enough players and enough structure tactically, individually and mentally to try to face them, but of course this is the biggest test we are going to face.

“Of course, Manchester City too, they are putting in fantastic performances, and we have to be proud of everything we are doing and being one point behind Manchester City, three points behind Arsenal, and the way we are progressing, but we have to be humble, and we have to be confident, and we have to be ambitious as well.

“And our ambition is to go and face them tomorrow and we will see how we cope with them.”