Unai Emery makes Aston Villa fan plea ahead of key home fixture
Unai Emery has urged Villa supporters to keep bringing the noise ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit of Leeds.
The boss believes the atmosphere generated during last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Newcastle had been missing in recent matches - and has called for fans to deliver the same again in another key fixture.
Villa, third in the table, can close the gap on leaders Arsenal to just five points with a win and Emery said: “The supporters gave a very great atmosphere, helping us (against Newcastle).
“I felt something which maybe in the last matches I missed - the energy, the players as well, good mood.
“The supporters with the energy they transmitted to us, we need it again against Leeds.”
Saturday’s match is Villa’s first home 3pm kick-off in more than a year and a near sell-out crowd is expected, despite some controversy over the fixture being classed as “top category” with adult prices ranging from £58 to £92.
Villa are looking to restore momentum after losing three of their last four home matches in all competitions. Emery’s men had only been beaten three times on their own turf in 16 months before January’s 1-0 defeat to Everton.
Right-back Matty Cash is battling to be available after missing the last two matches with a knee injury.
