Shock Premier League manager opens up on NEVER signing an English player despite two decades in the dugout
UNAI EMERY has nothing against English players — despite NEVER signing one.
Aston Villa’s Spanish boss will lean heavily on in-form England striker Ollie Watkins as Villa look to extend their amazing home run to 12 consecutive wins against Luton today.
He is also likely to start Slough-born Polish international Matty Cash in the same defence as Londoner Ezri Konsa, while Tyrone Mings and Jacob Ramsey would most likely be Villa starters if they were fit.
Yet Emery was surprised to learn he has not signed an Englishman among his 163 career transfers, when SunSport pointed out the anomaly.
The ex-Arsenal boss said: “I didn’t know that! This is news to me.
“I like English players. Harry Kane signed for Bayern Munich and he is an amazing player — so I COULDN’T sign him! I did sign Kieran Tierney for Arsenal but he is Scottish.
“Usually Spain hasn’t been a place where a lot of English players went to play. You are right though, I have not signed any English players.
“Perhaps in the next transfer window?”
Emery lost out to Everton for Leeds’ Jack Harrison in August after discovering the midfielder was injured.
Villa head into today’s game with Luton on 19 points — their most after nine games of a Premier League campaign for 25 years.
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But Emery warned: “Our opponents will be up for the challenge of breaking our run.
“We have to be as motivated as they are, if we are to keep our run going. I respect Luton a lot.
"I watched them win at Everton and the draw last week at Nottingham Forest. After they were losing 2-0, their reaction to end the game 2-2 was amazing.”
Villa hope Nicolo Zaniolo will escape a ban for betting misdemeanours, after his three-hour grilling from Turin public prosecutor Manuel Pedrotta on Friday.
The Italian forward, 24, admitted he had used illegal betting platforms but only to gamble on card games — and insists he has never bet on any football matches.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali received a ten-month worldwide ban but Zaniolo’s lawyers are confident their client’s case will only face a fine.
They said: “No evidence emerged against him regarding the possibility of betting on football matches.”
