Unai Emery urges Aston Villa new boys to control their emotions

Unai Emery has urged Villa’s new boys to keep a lid on their emotions as he tries to restore the team’s winning mentality.

The boss is concerned by some of the disciplinary issues which have disrupted the progress of his squad rebuild during the early weeks of the season.

Joao Gomes was banned for three matches after being sent-off for violent conduct on debut, while fellow summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have picked up “unnecessary” yellow cards after clashing with opponents.

Jackson’s booking for shoving over Ousmane Diamande during last week’s visit of Nottingham Forest felt particularly costly.

Emery took the striker off at the break, fearing he was at risk of being sent-off and his team went on to lose 2-1, after a below-par second half showing.

Villa have taken just one point from their first four league matches and he Emery said: “Mentality means a lot of things, it’s very important. One of those things is control of emotions, individually.

“We considered the red card at Brighton, we considered the yellow card for Jackson, we must control it.

“On Wednesday, at Coventry, the yellow card for Wan-Bissaka as well, this is not normal.

“We spoke in the dressing room about controlling emotions.

“In our mentality, and how we want to build it, that’s something very important.”

Villa have had a largely good disciplinary record since Emery became boss in 2022.

Ezri Konsa was the only player to receive a red card in the whole of last season and even then, was only suspended for one match.

Gomes hopes to make his Premier League return in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Tottenham.

Emery continued: “We must respect the referee and the opponent, and control our emotion to reduce red cards - but also some yellow cards are not necessary.

“Last week, Jackson, and Wan-Bissaka, they are both experienced players and they must control it.

“And the team as well must have this mentality, to play, focus and not to disturb the situation as they were.

“We need players focused on playing and not the issues that are disturbing us. Not upsetting our focus on the match.”