Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has delivered a firm warning to his squad, insisting they must not view themselves as favourites against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers this Sunday.
The Stakes for the West Midlands Derby
Villa enter the local clash in formidable form, riding a wave of four consecutive Premier League victories and an impressive seven straight wins at Villa Park. This rich vein of form was extended with a 2-1 Europa League triumph over BSC Young Boys on Thursday night.
In stark contrast, their rivals find themselves in a dire situation. Wolves are rock bottom of the table with just two points from their opening 12 fixtures. This represents the third-worst points tally at this stage in English top-flight history, behind only Manchester United in 1930-31 and Sheffield United in 2020-21.
Emery's Reality Check for His Squad
Despite the glaring disparity in league positions, Emery is taking nothing for granted. He explicitly told his players that feeling like favourites would be a dangerous trap.
"I am not feeling favourite playing a Premier League match," Emery stated. "I know that if we are thinking that this is easier than we can prepare, we are not going to play in our 100 per cent. It is necessary to start winning the match, because even then you can lose."
To hammer home his point, the Villa boss pointed to Wolves' performance against Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season, where they came within minutes of a victory before ultimately drawing.
Respecting the Premier League's Brutal Nature
Emery used the upcoming fixture as a broader example of the Premier League's relentless competitiveness. He emphasised that a team's position in the table can be deceptive, especially with a new coach bringing fresh motivation.
"This match is for me the example of how difficult the Premier League is," he explained. "Wolves are at the bottom, but with the new coach they are going to be motivated and excited to get a competitive way. The coach knows us and he will try to use his capacity, trying to get some points here."
Emery's philosophy is built on a foundation of respect combined with self-belief. He demands his team respect the opponent but play with their own personality and maintain the high standards that have brought them recent success.
Reflecting on the league's overall strength, he added, "It is so, so strong. Two years ago, last year and this year, also when I was in the Premier League in 2018. My respect is massive for this game." He also noted the unexpected struggles of teams like Liverpool and Newcastle, proving that no team's position is secure.
