He is capable of destroying Premier League defenders,He is the only Arsenal player that is giving me sleepless night at the moment’: Aston villa boss Unai Emery name One Arsenal player that is afraid to meet on Saturday – Not Declan Rice,Not Saka and not Martinelli
Diego Carlos has warned Arsenal: “You don’t scare us.”
Aston Villa’s powerful defender paid tribute to the work done under Unai Emery as the club leapfrogged Manchester City into third with a 1-0 win at Villa Park on Wednesday night. And the defender, who has been beset by long-term injury problems after signing at the start of the last campaign, produced a dogged performance as he kept Erling Haaland and Co quiet.
Pep Guardiola’s star striker was the only player who managed an effort on goal – two in the opening 10 minutes – as Villa dominated. And Carlos has told the Gunners – who travel to Villa Park on Saturday evening – that Villa fear no-one.
He said: “That performance against Manchester City was very, very good. There’s confidence in us and, as players, we aren’t scared. The gaffer wants every player to have confidence with the ball and their position.
“We are a good team. From the first day he arrived, Unai improved both the team and us players. Now, we’re in a good position in the table, but our season is not finished. There are still a lot of games to play.
“It’s important to stay grounded and humble. For me, this is most important. We respect every team we play against – but we aren’t scared of them.”
One of Villa’s highlights this season has seen Emery turn Leon Bailey into a Premier League force – by taking him out of his Villa Park comfort zone. The Spaniard has revealed how a heart-to-heart with the Jamaica international has transformed the 26-year-old into a player-to-be-reckoned-with.
Bailey collected his eighth of the season with a deflected shot against Manchester City in Villa’s eye-catching 1-0 victory. But his overall display was his best in a claret shirt as his running with the ball caused Guardiola’s rearguard all sorts of problems.
Bailey, who joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for £25m two-and-a-half years ago, has often been criticised for drifting in and out of games. Certainly neither Dean Smith, nor Steven Gerrard approached anything like the return seen under Emery.
Villa’s boss said: “When I arrived at the club, I began collecting information off the players. Then, when I understood them and got to know them better, I started to take individual meetings with some.
“One of them was Leon Bailey. His potential is amazing. But sometimes at home we were looking at him, thinking: ‘Wow, what a player.’ And then away, it was completely different.
”He has been humble enough to listen and to understand that we knew how he could improve – and he’s accepted that. Last Sunday, he scored his first goal away for Villa in the Premier League at Bournemouth.
“This is one example. He needed to improve his consistency away from home. He is consistent at home. Why is it different? That was the process we had to understand. He’s progressing. He’s getting better because he’s aware he has to do it. Now I think his performances are very good at home and much better away.
