'Not a walk in the park' - Aston Villa chief issues rallying cry ahead of Wolves derby clash
Club chief Damian Vidagany has issued a Villa rallying cry ahead of Friday night’s derby at Wolves - claiming he is “100 per cent convinced” Unai Emery’s team will achieve their ambitions this season.
Villa head to Molineux targeting a win which would keep them ahead of the chasing pack in the race for Champions League qualification.
Emery’s men will also learn their opponents for next month’s last-16 Europa League tie later this week.
Despite recent inconsistent results, Vidagany insists the “big picture is beautiful” as he called for supporters to stick behind the players.
Posting on social media, the club’s director of football operations wrote: “Inside and outside we must be aware that this is going to be an inch-by-inch pathway until the final success.
“Not a walk in the park, no shortcuts for us. No dramas, no parties. Hard-work, resilient mentality and unity required on this boat!
“Because as I am 100 per cent convinced that we will get our goals and we are going to enjoy a lot but what is even more sure 200 per cent is that in this football team we will ALWAYS respect the badge and fight for it until the last second of the last match.”
Villa have fallen 10 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after a run of just three wins in eight matches but remain third in the table, three points ahead of Manchester United, with Chelsea and Liverpool another three points further back.
Vidagany urged supporters to “play every match with us with focus, cold mind, warm heart and loyalty”.
He continued: “I am prouder than ever of AVFC players and coaches no matter what and proud of the people like you that are supporting us and sending their energy and hopes.
“You must know that here inside we are grateful and responsible.”
