Unai Emery knows raising standards at Aston Villa brings pressure – Irvine Times

Emery has revolutionized Villa’s fortunes since taking charge in 2022, taking them from a relegation battle to the Champions League.

They have won their first three games in Europe’s top-flight competition and are in the Premier League’s top four ahead of the visit of Tottenham on Sunday.

The stakes are high as they battle the likes of Spurs, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle, but Emery is undeterred.

“I feel like we’re raising our standards as something that requires and something that we want,” he said.

“We also try to make those demands comfortable, to feel in a good position when we maintain this level in the table through the Premier League or the Champions League.

“It’s really fantastic to try to get a feel for it in our increasing demands.

“I never feel it negatively, like a pressure that hurts us. We want to feel like something comfortable, really happy and maintaining the same level in our requirements, more and more we try to become even better.’

Morgan Rodgers has been one of the stars of Villa’s rise since his January move from Middlesbrough, and Emery has confirmed the club are in talks to extend his contract.

The 22-year-old has scored two goals and provided four assists in 12 games so far this season.