Juventus manager highlights three 'dangerous' Aston Villa players who could make the difference

Today at 02:15 PM

Bianconeri boss Thiago Motta had no time for mind games ahead of Aston Villa’s Champions League clash with Juventus on Wednesday night.

Or, perhaps, that’s exactly what he wants you to believe.

If you were playing mind games, the last thing you’d do is tell people you’re playing mind games. That sort of defeats the purpose.

But, as Unai Emery labels Juventus the ‘favourites’ to take all three points from Villa Park, Thiago Motta had no interest in delving into who should be considered this or that heading into a very old-school sort of clash between two historic European institutions.

Emery, meanwhile, admitted that he would probably accept a draw against the mighty Juventus.

Motta, when asked about what sort of result would put a smile on his own face, opted to keep his own cards close to his chest.

Thiago Motta sends Juventus warning ahead of Aston Villa clash

“I’m not bluffing. In my opinion, Emery bluffed [about being happy with a point],” Motta smiles. “My state of mind is always positive. I have great confidence in myself and great confidence in my players. They have great responsibility, they show that they have something more, [and they are] ready to compete.

“They will show it again. No bluff. I have confidence in myself and in the players.”

Aston Villa have won three of their four games back in Europe’s premiere club competition.

Jhon Duran’s heroics secured a famous win over Bayern Munich earlier in the new-looked first round, with Juventus looking to avoid the same fate as Vincent Kompany’s side at a fired-up Villa Park.

Motta’s Juve side have conceded only seven goals in 12 Serie A matches since he took charge over the summer.

And the former Italy international, who played under Emery for two years at Paris Saint-Germain, insists that his team must focus on controlling Aston Villa’s counter-attacks with the likes of Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers potentially devastating in transition.

Rogers was dazzling against the German giants, for instance. So much so that Bayern boss Kompany sang the Aston Villa’s praises at full-time while admitting he tried to sign him at Burnley.

“On the counter-attacks, Aston Villa are dangerous,” Motta points out. “In the defensive phase, we must be solid. Don’t leave space for the three [attackers] who occupy a position that can create difficulties in defending.

“We must drop back, defend our goal well, have the ball and using it well. If they open up, we attack quickly. Otherwise, we attack in the right way, arriving with the right players, being very careful”.

“[Emery] has been at a high level for a very long time. He works with consistency, knowledge and competence. And he is demonstrating it in a team like Aston Villa, who have been consistent in a difficult championship for a long time.

“This is also why we will enter the field with great humility, respect, [and] determined to put in a great performance.”

Unai Emery wants at least a point from Juventus meeting

This would be a pretty good time for Aston Villa to rediscover some of their early season swagger. The Midlanders have not won a single game since they beat Bologna 2-0 over a month ago, losing four of their last six and drawing the other two in league and cup.

Emery confirmed during his pre-match press conference, meanwhile, that Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey will be unavailable. Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara should be back, however, after missing Saturday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

"This year, we are in the Champions League. We want to play a lot of matches, and hopefully we will play until the last month of the season,” Emery says.

"The Champions League is the best competition in the world. We are managing each match, being consistent in the preparation, but we are separating each moment, because it is not the same.

"Tomorrow, they are a very important three points, of course. But if we are not winning and only taking one point, it is good.

"In the table, we are in a top eight position and the objective is to be in the next round. We have a possibility to be in a top eight position and we are going to try to get it."