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The villa is bad 2-1 loss at home to Tottenham Sunday – a third successive defeat – did not give them the ideal platform, despite Emery making eight changes.
It points to a lack of depth in the squad, with Amy Martinez, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rodgers seen as the only first-choice starters in Sunday’s XI.
Emery, though, has won praise from at least two fellow Premier League managers who have been personally impressed with the decisions he has made – a clear focus on his biggest game at the club – and how he has stuck to strategy.
He has won the Europa League a record four times – three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal – and is keenly close to Emery who expects to see a performance different from Sunday’s capitulation.
“We are improving ourselves, and we will have more challenges to set for the present or the future,” Emery said, when asked if this was the last chance for the squad to win something.
“I don’t think tomorrow is the last chance for us or anyone. The players are enjoying the process we’re going through and they know how hard football is, and this is our biggest moment in the last three years.
“It doesn’t break anything about how we’re thinking and trying to improve.”
Even if Emery believes they can push for honors beyond this season and with Champions League football – Villa should finish in the Premier League’s top five regardless of their European fortunes – change is expected.
The squad needs to be refreshed and selling players is the easiest way to comply – England forward Morgan Rodgers is their biggest asset.
There is a realization that a significant amount of recycling needs to be done and Emery has been aware of what needs to be done since the opening months of the season.
He and president of football operations Roberto Olabe are united, but Olabe was brought in to help Villa progress further, more in the medium and long term.
There will be a greater focus on young players going forward, and the necessary first-team voids will be filled through more senior signings, but Emery, like any manager, wants players who are ready now.
The pair are close – Emery handpicked Olabe to Replace Monchi in September – so a common ground is found and the pair spend hours talking about strategy and philosophy, conversations which usually start in the club’s canteen on Bodymoor Heath.
Yet the desire of new players to take Villa to the next level is the most difficult task.
