'I never feel favourite' - Unai Emery sets away day challenge as Aston Villa head to Leeds

Leeds, 16th in the table, represent an easier challenge on paper but Emery has warned that does not translate into practice with the memory of last season’s two draws against Ipswich still looming large.

Those results, against opponents who lost 22 matches, ultimately proved costly as Villa missed out on the Champions League on goal difference at the end of the campaign.

Emery said: “In the Premier League, every match we are playing, to be favourite is very difficult.

“I am not feeling favourite, never. Playing against Leeds, playing against Bournemouth, playing against Liverpool.

“I am never feeling favourite. I know the difficulties we are going to face each match.”

While his team might appear to be flying, having won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions, Emery has made note of a less than stellar away record, with last month’s victory at Spurs the only one in the top flight so far.

The Spaniard is also aware of how the Elland Road atmosphere adds a further dynamic, with Leeds losing just one of their first five home matches.

“This is the first time I will have ever played at Elland Road but I know how difficult it will be,” he said.

“I know the atmosphere is fantastic. I know their history in the Premier League and Europe. I know this is usually a team being in the Premier League.”

Villa are unbeaten in 17 matches against newly-promoted teams under Emery but he continued: “I started speaking about how we are performing away. Brentford - lost, Everton - draw, Sunderland - draw, Tottenham - win, Liverpool - we lost. And were we favourites against those teams? I don’t know.

“Whether teams are in the bottom or the top, I am never feeling favourite.

“I know we can win but I know we can lose. This is my message in the dressing room.

“I think they (the players) know better than me. But with my experiences before, I know it is difficult.”

Villa have received positive news on the injury front with Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Lamare Bogarde and Amadou Onana all expected to shake-off niggles in time to play.

That may spell bad news for Harvey Elliott, who has failed to make the last two Premier League matchday squads for which he has been available.

The Liverpool loanee has not played in the top flight since being substituted at half-time in his only Villa start in late September.

Emery said: “Harvey Elliott, he is working very well. He is working consistently. He is a good guy and commitment to Aston Villa is fantastic. 

“I am happy how he is doing his work here, but now it is difficult because he has other players playing and performing well.”