Emery: We must maintain recent levels, which means finishing in the Premier League top six or seven

At 00:30 Beijing time on September 6, Aston Villa will face Hull City away from home in the third round of the Premier League. Villa manager Unai Emery attended a pre-match press conference on Friday, discussing topics including major squad changes during the summer window and how to rebuild Villa.

On Villa experiencing major personnel changes

Over these four years, this has indeed been part of the plan. We were prepared to deal with changes like those this year, which have been more frequent than before. Many players have been involved in transfers, and we needed to prepare for these changes, adapt to the new arrivals as quickly as possible, help them integrate and achieve growth.

We have many young players with great potential. Some can show their ability quickly, while others may need more time. We remain positive and passionate, hoping to maintain our previous level in the Premier League, especially in league matches, because this is our primary objective. We must work to remain consistent. Of course, we are also looking forward to the competitions ahead, especially the Champions League.

On the urgency of winning

We are eager for victories, and we hope to rebuild a strong team as much as possible. From the collective level to the individual level, we need to establish a solid structure, including mentally — becoming winners and maintaining strong competitiveness. At the same time, we know how long it will take to rebuild such a team. Every match provides us with a lot of information, and the fans must also remain passionate and support everything we are doing.

The club is also currently carrying out various construction projects at Villa Park, working to gain more support from fans. At the same time, we try to be involved as much as possible and continuously improve ourselves. But this requires effort. Now is not the time to talk too much, because the most important thing is to work, focus on every match and understand their importance.

Especially tomorrow's match against Hull City, they are currently near the top of the table with six points, while we are second from bottom with zero points from two matches. This is a huge challenge for us, but we also approach it with respect. Last season we had the chance to compete for higher positions at the end of the campaign, but every year is a new chapter and a new era. For us, maintaining the level we have shown is another new challenge.

Of course, this is my objective, as well as the club's objective and the players' objective. The transfer window is now closed, the squad is settled, and the players must train hard every day. We must set high standards, they must understand this, and they must always follow the ideas we communicate every day.

On this round's opponent Hull City

They are highly motivated. After many years away, they are back competing in the Premier League and are very excited. For them, this is undoubtedly something thrilling. Their performances at the start of the season — beating Manchester United at home and Coventry City away — have, in my opinion, given them an optimistic mindset and confidence. Tomorrow we will analyze them, respect them, and we have great respect for every Premier League team.

Understanding every team and the importance of every match is about facing opponents with the respect they deserve. We are a team that, even when winning and achieving success, must first respect every opponent. We also know we must stay focused, concentrate and set high standards for ourselves in order to perform at our best collectively and individually.

The only way to beat Arsenal and Hull City is to respect the opponent and perform as well as possible in every aspect, including preparation, individual technique, attitude and duels. All of this requires a very high level.

On team spirit and season objectives

We have grown together with the players and reached this point. Now we are starting a new plan because we have many new players, young players and players with potential in the squad. We must rebuild team spirit and a good mentality.

Of course, the experienced players, those who have worked alongside us for the past one, two, three or four years, already understand this spirit. Now they must take responsibility and also guide the newly arrived young players, leading them in this direction.

As a coach, I deliver many messages every day, especially during matches. We want to compete, and the players must understand this. This mentality is crucial. Every day we need to maintain a competitive mindset, both individually and collectively, set high standards for ourselves and remain professional in training, focus and recovery.

At the same time, everyone must strive to improve — individuals pursue their own goals, while the team moves toward collective goals and the club's shared objectives. We must work to maintain the level we reached in recent years, which means aiming for the top six or top seven, although we are not strong contenders. In the Champions League, we must show the mentality we had two years ago.

Of course, in European competitions we have basically reached the level we should have — reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals, winning the Europa League and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals were all results of our efforts.

When will the 17-year-old Brian Majo return?

Hopefully it will not be too long, but he will still be recovering for at least the next two weeks.

When can summer signing Manzambi play?

No, he cannot play yet. He is training with the team, his physical condition is gradually improving and he feels good, but he still needs a few more days. I do not know whether he can play in next Tuesday's Champions League match or the following game against Nottingham Forest.

On other players

There is no bad news. I think these players are ready. Some players signed last week will gradually become better and understand our style of play more clearly. Hopefully tomorrow we can take a step forward, perform better, be more aggressive in duels and also get some points.

On Brian Majo, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Modou Keba Cissé being left out of the Champions League squad

This was a difficult decision, both for us and for the players. The decision-making process was based on an analysis of the team's expected performances before January. We will play eight Champions League matches. Due to injury, Cissé cannot play, and Majo will need at least another two weeks of recovery.

Harwood-Bellis was the final new signing. We can also use Bogarde to form the defense, and even arrange for Kamara to play. We carried out a detailed analysis. Harwood-Bellis will be here for a long time, and he will have opportunities to play European competitions with us, perhaps in January or in the coming years. Majo is only 17 years old and very young. He will certainly have more opportunities to play European matches this season and in the coming years.