Aston Villa

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery to BBC Match of the Day: "It is not the best result but it's not the worst. I think a draw is fair. We played the second half much better than the first and at the end we were close to winning the match. We had two chances at the end of the game, we tried to score but couldn't. I think a draw is fair.

"Maybe today we needed some refreshed players. And we have some players injured. But the players we have they respond really well. We will need the players helping. We prepared this match trying to win, we didn't do it but we have to be overall happy with this month, how we are in the table and what we are trying to build."

On Ezri Konsa's injury: "I don't know, hopefully it's not a lot. Hopefully he can rest in the international break.

"We can have some days off [in the international break] we can recover our energy and try to push in the next month.

"We are being demanding and competing very well. We are happy in the Champions League, and happy of course in the Carabao Cup. We're going to play seven matches in the next month. We have to stay competitive like we are now and being demanding."

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There are three matches in the Premier League on Sunday and we will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Man Utd - 14:00 (listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live)

• Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - 14:00

• Brighton v Tottenham - 16:30 (listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live)

All kick-off times BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week seven, he takes on Will Champion and Jonny Buckland from Coldplay, whose latest album, Moon Music, came out on Friday.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

The worry for Aston Villa is injuries - Amadou Onana limped off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday and Leon Bailey had to be subbed after coming on.

I was at Villa Park for BBC Radio 5 Live and saw Bailey warming up on his own with a fitness coach before the game, so I suspect that was injury-related too, and I am also concerned about Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, who was brilliant against Bayern, because it looked like he had a hamstring issue.

If Manchester United get an absolute battering here, forget Erik ten Hag because it will be more like Erik ten minutes.

I am not expecting that to happen, though. United are desperate for a result and I have a feeling they might get something.

I just wonder if after all the emotion of Wednesday night, Villa will feel drained and find it hard to raise themselves again.

The atmosphere will definitely not be the same as it was, at 2pm on a Sunday, and that will help United - as well as any Villa absentees, because they are stretched.

Will and Jonny's prediction: 2-1

Read the rest of their predictions, and have your own say here

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

It has been a hectic start to the Premier League season with some clubs making a fast start while others are yet to get going.

But whose boots are made for walking the most so far?

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa has walked the most after six games, just 0.1 km more than Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Interestingly, Haaland and Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo walk a lot despite being forwards.

Maybe the reason why Haaland has been able to establish himself as one of the fastest players and why Semenyo has made so many sprints is that they conserve their energy for the biggest moments where they can make the most impact.

Meanwhile, it is not just distance walked that we have tracked.

Wolves’ Matheus Cunha has spent more of his time on the pitch walking than any other player in the Premier League so far.

It is also interesting that both of Tottenham’s centre-backs spend so much of their time walking, given Spurs' high possession, high pressing, style of play.

This might mean Cristiano Romero and Micky van de Ven can conserve energy for when things get a bit chaotic (or they fancy a marauding run)?

This could especially be true for van de Ven who has been the fastest player in the competition so far.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

There can often be a lot of focus on distances covered and sprints made by teams, but how much of a difference does it really make to their success?

When it comes to distance covered by teams it is the 'battle of the B's' with Bournemouth, Brighton and Brentford having covered the most ground in the Premier League so far this season.

At the other end of the scale, bottom side Wolves have run the least so far - 5km fewer than any other side.

Initially, I thought this could be due to how difficult their start has been (i.e. sitting deep and not rushing out against top opponents), but they actually rank mid-table in pressing stats (with no players missing via red cards either).

But, it is worth noting that running a lot does not necessarily equal success.

Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Chelsea and Aston Villa have also been the 'laziest' teams so far yet have started the season well.

It is a similar story when it comes to sprints too - some good teams sprint a lot, some good teams sprint little.

Tottenham have made the most sprints in the Premier League this campaign, followed by fellow high-pressers Liverpool and Bournemouth.

But defending champions Manchester City have made the least – 60 fewer than any other team – and yet they have been pretty good so far too.

Looking at which teams have made the most sprints – Spurs, Liverpool, Chelsea – and which the fewest – City, Arsenal, Villa – it suggests that playing style plays a part in how much a team sprints as well as just work rate.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes under-pressure Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag remains a winner - despite his troubles at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman takes United to Villa Park on Sunday after Harry Maguire's last-gasp leveller rescued a 3-3 draw in their Europa League game at Porto on Thursday.

United blew a 2-0 lead to trail 3-2, which looked like pushing Ten Hag closer to the brink.

The visitors are 13th in the Premier League after winning two of their six games, with Villa - who beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday - fifth.

Emery said: "I respect him a lot. I have to respect him because he has beaten me more than I’ve beaten him. He's a winner - they won the FA Cup. He is a very good coach. The demands there are huge demands but he is doing a process.

"We won the first match when I arrived here but since we have lost four matches against them. They are a winning team and they have an experienced coach and experienced players. The club is usually a winning club.

"They are not getting consistently good results in the Premier League but, playing only one match, they can exploit their capacity and skill.

"I will prepare for the match more than how I prepared against Bayern."

Emery, who could be without Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey after they came off in the win over Bayern, has also warned his players they cannot relax despite Wednesday's victory.

"To be consistent in the Premier League is the first objective," he said.

"We enjoyed Wednesday a lot. We have six points [in the Champions League] but there is no change in my mind. The ambition I have in this club, since I arrived here, is the same.

"We are getting a lot of success sooner than I was thinking. Of course, now my expectation is to keep it. My example is to keep demanding and don't relax. Everyone relaxes when they get comfortable and has success.

"Now I will want to win on Sunday."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey are both doubts following Wednesday's Champions League game against Bayern Munich but will be assessed on Saturday in training. He does expect Amadou Onana to be available.

• He says they "enjoyed Wednesday a lot" and now "want to match it" with a strong performance against Manchester United.

• On preparing the team for weeks with three games: "It is difficult to be competitive and consistent in Europe and in the Premier League. But there’s no change in my mind and we have to be demanding in every match. Be demanding and don’t relax."

• He says he is "pushing the players" to consistently perform at their best because since he arrived at the club, he has tried to "increase more or less everything."

• On managing expectations: "We are not favourites to be in the top seven of the Premier League. We want to be a contender and we are in the process of getting points. Winning matches is everything."

• On the opponents: "It is a huge match for us after Bayern because we are playing the best team in the world. United are not in the Champions League, they are in the Europa League, but they are a team with quality players and [a quality] coach."

• He says although United "are not getting consistent form in the Premier League", he has been "preparing for this match more than Bayern Munich".

• In order to get another win, he says Villa will need the fans at Villa Park "to transmit their energy" on Sunday to help his team get another win.

• On Jhon Duran's form: "He is doing fantastic. We are really happy. He is improving a lot and his commitment is fantastic as well. He has to continue being demanding [of himself]."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Aston Villa v Manchester United from 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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Aston Villa have won just one of their past 25 Premier League home games against Manchester United with the victory coming in Unai Emery's first game in charge in November 2022.

United have won 40 Premier League games against Villa, with only the Old trafford side beating Everton (41) more often in the competition's history.

Chelsea remain interested in Colombia forward Jhon Duran, but Aston Villa want in excess of £80m for the in-form 20-year-old. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

It was another memorable night for Aston Villa against German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday, as Unai Emery's side secured a famous 1-0 victory.

Watch highlights and analysis from their victory below..

Watch highlights from all Champions League matchday two fixtures on BBC iPlayer

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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Mention what Unai Emery brings and one Aston Villa insider told BBC Sport: "Attention to detail. An incredible work ethic. Down time does not exist as far as Unai is concerned.

"He is incredible and he is getting the rewards that work ethic deserves. He is also respectful to everyone at the club and very popular."

Emery arrives at about 8am at Villa's Bodymoor Heath training HQ and staff using the gym at the centre are used to the sight of the manager arriving at 8.30pm after finishing at his desk, gathering details on his iPad while on the exercise bike before even making notes while using the rowing machine.

He turns to his laptop once the formalities of a game are completed, sitting at the front of Villa's coach focusing immediately on the next match, the next opponent.

He has brought 23 Spanish coaches into Bodymoor Heath, a sign of Villa's trust and investment in Emery, but he has ensured they have totally integrated with those already there in a calm and welcoming atmosphere.

There is mutual respect from all at Bodymoor Heath, an environment fostered by Emery, whose English is said to be much better than some might expect.

Emery is joined by long-time associate Monchi, who was with him at Sevilla, as president of football operations while the appointment of the experienced Pako Ayestaran as his right-hand man was an ideal choice.

Ayestaran was Rafael Benitez's assistant when he enjoyed early success winning the Champions League and FA Cup at Liverpool. It was never quite the same at Anfield after he left, perhaps no coincidence as the 61-year-old is a personable and highly respected figure with great knowledge of the Premier League and the game in general.

Emery, who also has the trusted Damian Vidagany at his side, was not afraid to keep members of Steven Gerrard's staff, such as the outstanding set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, a workaholic in the mode of his manager.

Read more from Phil McNulty here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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On a night of extraordinary moments, there was one just before "the big moment" which is also worth recording.

Jhon Duran stood up and put on his number nine shirt. Starting from behind the bench, a low rumble of approval at this simple action rolled round the stands like the first sounds of an approaching storm.

Look out, here he comes: the Fresh Prince of Villa Park.

Nine minutes later, there he was again, breaking free of the acrobatic celebrations of his team-mates to mug for the camera in the corner, flashing his now-trademark grin. He held the pose while the place melted around him. The spotlight suits him.

Maybe the goal was all down to instinct, although Unai Emery said Villa had discussed how they could shoot to exploit Manuel Neuer's wanderlust. That work was time well spent, but the plan still had to be executed.

It was as breathtaking as his thunderous winner against Everton, but a far more delicate, precise touch. It would have been audacious in training or even a game of lesser profile but at this moment, against this opponent, in this thousand-watt spotlight, it was astounding.

Duran is part of a different kind of striking double-act with Ollie Watkins - partners working alone. Their skillsets dovetail perfectly, as Emery observed afterwards.

"It was very important, the first work of Watkins, he did 70 minutes, then how we added Duran, in differing ways, [as] a fresh player to score the goal to win the match," he said. "I am thinking of the possibility, when we can analyse in our gameplan to take this decision about playing with both."

For the moment, it is a brilliant and inventive solution to the problem of how to get the best out of both players, and it may remain so for as long as both are happy with the arrangement. Emery offers the promise - and for their opponents, the threat - that when he works out a way of getting the best of them both working together, then, well, watch out.

Duran, apparently so unhappy just a few months ago he wanted to go elsewhere, has clearly received the message - stick with Emery, follow his plan, he will make you a star.

Before long, nobody is going to remember or care whether Duran was starting games regularly or not in 2024. They will remember, forever, that he was the hero who brought down Bayern Munich.

Beware the Duran grin. Who's next?

• Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Manchester United at 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio WM

• Tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday, former Aston Villa winger Tony Morley backed the current team to go far in this season's Champions League:

"You never know. Back in 1982, people told us that we had no chance, but we just went on and on and only conceded one goal. We won it. You just don’t know in football."

Morely played the full 90 minutes of the final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam in 1982, providing the assist to Peter Withe to score the only goal of the game.

He added: "[Last night] was very, very similar to the game we played against Bayern Munich. They were dominant, had a lot of the possession and were a very good footballing side. But at the end of the day, it is who scores the goals, and Villa got one.

"It was very, very similar to 1982."

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha took part in a Q&A session on BBC Sport's football news page on Thursday, with many readers asking questions about Aston Villa following their Champions League victory over Bayern Munich.

Here are a couple of his responses...

Guy asked: After a fantastic night at Villa Park, how far can Unai Emery take Villa in the Champions League? If we can beat Bayern, we can beat anyone! What a night! Even though it's early, why not dream of more nights like this?

Nedum replied: As good as Villa are, the strength of the more established teams in the Champions League comes in the knockout rounds when there are two legs. Can Villa and others handle that level of pressure in some of the toughest places to play, like the Allianz Arena? Time will tell but, for now, it must be great to be a Villa fan.

David asked: As a player, does a big result like Villa got influence your decision to join a club? Would it help convince a player to buy into a project?

Nedum replied: Every player is different so it's hard to say, but it definitely won't harm the pitch to them. Playing Champions League football against some of the best players and biggest clubs in world football is the type of thing most players can only dream of, myself included.

Villa certainly are a good side right now and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon.

Read more of the Q&A here

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Olympic medallist and lifelong Aston Villa fan Katherine Merry joined BBC Radio 5 Live on Thursday to chat about the "special night" she witnessed at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Unai Emery's side claimed a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich thanks to a yet another goal off the bench from forward Jhon Duran.

Merry said: "I was delighted to be one of about 43,000 Villa fans there at Villa Park last night. I have raced in some of the biggest moments of sport, commentated on them, been trackside, but last night was so, so, so, so special.

"The club managed it really well and then the team managed to get a fantastic 1-0 win. As football fans, those are the moments we live for - nights like that."

Interim England boss Lee Carsley has announced his squad for this month's Nations League games with Greece and Finland.

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is the headline inclusion, returning to international contention for the first time in seven years.

The 27-year-old has three goals in six appearances for Spurs since moving from Bournemouth in the summer.

Read the full story

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Former Aston Villa midfielder Ian Taylor, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about the Champions League win over Bayern Munich:

"It's been 40-odd years since we've played in the competition so there's a lot of people who would have been there who have never sampled Champions League or European Cup football.

"It was really something special because the atmosphere was something else."

On the forward options available to manager Unai Emery:

"It's a manager's dream to have Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, and to be managing that situation the way he is at the moment. You have to take your hat off to him.

"It's not easy. You'll have Jhon Duran every Monday morning saying he wants to be starting games.

"But to be doing what he's doing - having the right attitude to be on the bench in the first place, then to come on and score - at just 20 years old means he's a special player."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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You speak to people instrumental in Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran's career and some common themes come up - a raw, supremely talented footballer, a family man and somebody who needs to be guided.

It has been a pretty rapid rise for one of the youngest goalscorers in Colombian professional football history and the youngest foreign signing in Major League Soccer.

In January 2023, Unai Emery made Duran his second signing.

The then teenager was eased into the picture that campaign, though, and started making waves last season - even though he could not, and still cannot, get into the starting line-up regularly because of Ollie Watkins.

He courted controversy this summer after reportedly agreeing personal terms with West Ham and crossing his arms to imitate the Hammers' irons logo in a social media video.

"Credit to Emery - when you have a player who wants to leave, usually a manager says: 'Let him go'," said former Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger on Match of the Day's Champions League show.

"He put his arm around him and said: 'You'll get your chances - we need you.' And now that is the best proof. The difference he has made is massive."

Duran has started this season in spectacular form, scoring four goals in six substitute appearances in the Premier League.

But that was eclipsed on Wednesday, as he lobbed Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to send the home fans wild and seal a famous Champions League win.

It was his sixth goal, and fifth winner, in under 300 minutes of football this season.

Team-mate Morgan Rogers told TNT Sports: "He is such a handful for defenders. When he comes on with all that energy, he knows he will get that chance and he backs himself 100%.

"He is a great lad. He is the most chilled, relaxed person I have ever met. He is a different animal when he's playing."

Could Duran moving from super-sub to starter be the next progression in a career that seems to be progressing exponentially?

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Former Aston Villa striker Chris Sutton, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about goalkeeper Emi Martinez:

"He's a brilliant shot-stopper. Every team would want him in goal. He's a brilliant personality and he's got the whole package.

"He's just a outstanding goalkeeper playing at a high level.

"His save from the Harry Kane header was really sensational, but I can't say I'm surprised because he's really that good.

On Martinez performing well in big matches, ex-Villa forward Dion Dublin added: "He just seems to enjoy them - he never seems to be fazed. He's never got a stressful persona and he seems to enjoy the challenge.

"He makes saves like he did and he gets the high-fives from his players, but then he gets back into his zone again. He's very reliable and he's making a huge difference."

For more analysis, listen to the Champions League Debrief on BBC Sounds