Unai Emery responds to Diego Carlos criticism and fires Aston Villa warning

Unai Emery admits Aston Villa must improve defensively if they are to remain competitive at the top level.

His side have failed to keep a Premier League clean sheet in 11 games, while they have shipped 56 goals in 34 matches in all competitions this calendar year. Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are both due to return to the matchday squad after the October international break, but after respective ACL injuries, Emery won’t be able to rely on them to solve his side’s defensive deficiencies just yet.

Villa wanted to sign Lutsharel Geertruida from Feyenoord in the summer, but a move never materialised as it was dependent on Diego Carlos leaving. The Brazilian decided against departing later in the window and has started the club’s last two league games against Wolves and Ipswich having played his part in the club’s successful campaign last term.

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He and his teammates struggled to deal with Ipswich’s threat at the weekend as Villa conceded twice while also giving up another two big chances at Portman Road. Carlos in particular came under scrutiny for his performance in the draw.

“In football there are mistakes, we have to accept it,” Emery said when asked about the centre-back. “Starting with me. Every match I am trying to be humble to identify my mistakes. Then, it is my responsibility to correct those mistakes after the matches. Try to correct it quickly and don’t repeat it. With the players it is the same.

“I am trying to identify overall the mistakes we are getting in each match and deeply when some mistakes are coming from individual players. But I never punish mistakes that players make for the next matches. I am trying to correct it through video and working with the players on the pitch.

“We worked yesterday morning and of course I want to try to correct by practising and hopefully tomorrow on the field.

He continued: “We are not defending like last year. It’s not for the defenders, the goalkeeper, it’s for everyone. The first defenders are the strikers and the first attacking player is the goalkeeper.

“We have to work to improve because we cannot concede the goals we are conceding each match we are playing. I am positive and I believe in our work but if we want to keep at the top level, we are scoring goals, but we are conceding more goals than normal.”

Harry Kane picked up an injury in Bayern’s draw with Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend, but has since trained ahead of the German side’s trip to Villa Park.

Asked how Villa will stop Kane, Emery said: “We analyse the tactical areas collectively and then you have to stop the players. He knows us and we know him but his capacity and potential will be on the pitch.

“They have two strong centre-backs, good midfielders, good wingers and we have to stop them collectively and individually, there will be a lot of duels. We have to be alert and focused.”

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