Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has made a passionate appeal to the Villa Park faithful to become the team’s “12th man” as they strive to kick off a new winning run on home turf.
Over the next ten days, Villa faces three important matches in the B6 area, including an FA Cup third-round showdown with Newcastle United, flanked by vital Premier League games against Brighton and Leeds United.
Following a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, Villa returns to Villa Park to face Brighton. Despite a solid overall season, the team has stumbled in its last two home league matches with narrow 1-0 defeats to Everton and Brentford, sparking some debate over the stadium atmosphere of late.
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Some fans have expressed concerns about dwindling energy, with Ollie Watkins notably questioning why some supporters left early during Villa’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in January.
Emery emphasized the critical role the crowd plays in lifting the players’ spirits: “I expect they will help us a lot. They should be involved with us. Like us, they should be full of energy. We need them pushing the players forward.”
He also added a lighthearted comment about club talisman John McGinn, affectionately nicknamed “Super John”: “I know when we have Super John McGinn on the field, the fans get excited. This energy is very important, but if Super John McGinn isn’t on the field, they must find another player with a ‘Super’ name!”
Reflecting on the season’s progress, Emery said, “Where we are in the table is something to be excited about. We are doing a fantastic season - wow. We know how difficult it is to be targeted by the teams behind us.”
He continued, “Supporters should understand the importance of backing every player with energy. When they do, they become like an extra player. Villa Park is special because of this. I’m not expecting to lose that edge.”
Emery’s call to arms highlights the vital connection between the team and its passionate supporters as Aston Villa look to build momentum and solidify their standing in the league.