‘Tomorrow is the most difficult challenge we’re going to face’: Unai Emery spills on Newcastle United match

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has spoken out ahead of their head-to-head against Newcastle United tomorrow.

The match is set to be one of the Mags most difficult yet, with Villa winning six of their last seven matches and climbing to sixth in the table.

However, Newcastle have won their last five and are nine points clear of the Birmingham side- perhaps why Emery has labelled tomorrow’s match as the “most difficult challenge” they’re going to face for the remainder of the season.

Speaking at a press conference, he said: “Newcastle is a team whose development has been very strong. They are building a very serious team, a very organised team.

“Now, they are one of the best teams in the Premier League, playing with his (Eddie Howe’s) identity. They are very aggressive in high pressing, aggressive individually and they are feeling strong in their mentality.”

“We have faced a lot of big challenges and been successful but tomorrow is the most difficult challenge we are going to face in the last matches,” he concluded.

Villa still have to face Manchester United, Brentford, Spurs, Brighton and Liverpool. A tough run of final matches.

Significantly, Emery was offered the job at Newcastle United over Eddie Howe, something Howe revealed today he was “delighted” about.

He said: ‘Without a doubt it was life changing.

“I don’t really think back to that moment, maybe I should. But I very rarely tend to go back.

“I always believe your life takes the journey it is meant to go on. I was due to come here, that is what happened. But I am here because Unai turned the job down, so I’m delighted that he did.

“Fate has a strange way of working and now we come together. I have nothing but respect for the job he has done and the career he has had. But I’m very thankful he made that decision.”

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