Unai Emery has urged Aston Villa to embrace the pressure of challenging for Europe and insists it is “a good moment” to visit Manchester United.
Villa boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Fulham which leaves them fifth. It was Villa’s 10th game without defeat and their fifth successive clean sheet and win at home.
Villa’s incredible run has thrilled fans who believe they could even challenge United for the top four if they win at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Emery is enjoying the high stakes in the race for Europe after taking over in October with Villa flirting with the drop zone. He reckons it is now the ideal time for his in-form side to visit United and take on Erik ten Hag’s men.
Ex-Arsenal coach Emery, 51, assessed: “I like to play under pressure. To be under pressure is because we have something to lose.
“I like to play key matches.
"I am going to analyse the Fulham match and prepare for Manchester United. I can start now to enjoy the match on Sunday.
"Playing now for something like we are doing, and being a candidate for a Europa League position, is very exciting.
“If we are competing, like we are now doing, and being the candidate to be in the Europa positions, I think it is a very good moment to go there."
Emery began his Aston Villa reign with a 3-1 home win over United for the club’s first Premier League win at Villa Park over the Red Devils since 1995. They then lost 4-2 at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup in their next game.
But Villa have gone from strength to strength since as their squad respond to Emery’s intense methods and analysis.
He added: "We won here against United but I remember as well we lost in the Carabao Cup against them. This is going to be very different.”
Defender Tyrone Mings was Villa’s match-winner against Fulham with his first goal of the season. Centre-back Ezri Konsa said: “The manager has been getting on to me and Tyrone - he said if one of us doesn't score he is going to kill us.”
Konsa is now plotting another win at United after winning there in September 2021 1-0 in the top-flight. He added: “We won there last season and hopefully we can do the same on Sunday.”
