The summer transfer window will open a week after the final day of the Premier League season
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery(Image: Getty Images)
Unai Emery won’t tolerate any of his Aston Villa players losing focus during the crucial final weeks of the season, with the summer transfer window fast approaching.
It’s expected to be another busy window for Villa, though plans are yet to be finalised, as their participation in which European competition – if any – has not yet been confirmed.
Villa must win their final three matches to stand a decent chance of finishing in the top five, although even a points total of 69 – one more than they managed last season – wouldn’t guarantee Champions League qualification.
Bournemouth host Villa on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, hoping to boost their own chances of qualifying for Europe. The Cherries currently sit in eighth place and could close the gap on Emery’s side to just four points.
A victory over Bournemouth would strengthen Villa’s hopes of returning to the Champions League – UEFA’s top-tier competition – which can generate at least £50 million in revenue for participating clubs.
Ahead of the trip to the south coast, Emery was reluctant to discuss summer plans, but made it clear that anything less than full focus from his players in the final three games will not be accepted.
“I want to play tomorrow, I want to play next week, I want to play two weeks after,” Emery said when asked about the summer window. “I want to continue playing. I don’t want holidays! I want to play.
“Why? Because now we are in our best moment, and we have to try to reduce the distance between us and the opponents who are above us.
“During the season, sometimes I was missing a lot of things. Now, we have players, work, focus, and a good mentality – a very good mentality.
“They are working, every day, fantastically. The message we are sending in the dressing room is a strong message: we have to get Europe again, and we have to play the last matches to finish the season as best as possible.
“Now is not the time to think about the summer. It is only about playing matches, and then, when we finish the season, we will prepare for the next one.”
He added: “Of course, if I am watching one of them not being focused, I am going to take him out [of contention to play].”
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