WHAT UNAI EMERY SAID ABOUT JHON DURAN’S TRANSFER AND WATKINS’S FUTURE SPEAKS VOLUMES

Unai Emery sat down with the media at Villa Park following Aston Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The victory books Villa’s place in the round of 16 after they finished in the top eight of the league phase. Here is every word Emery said in his post-match press conference…
“We are very proud of our work and our way in the Champions League this year of our work last year getting to be in the Champions League. The Premier League is very difficult to get in the Champions League because there are a lot of strong teams who are contenders. But it’s very important how we are here and where we started.”Now we enjoy the way and today was fantastic. The fans were excited and very motivated. It was a very good European match. In 90 minutes we played a really brilliant match, controlling the game. The first half at 2-0 we were feeling very comfortable and confident.
“We lost, I don’t know why, our idea in moments like that to keep the ball possession longer and stop the opponent to not let them have chances to recover. In the dressing room I was saying I can’t understand why we’re not being strong in our mentality.
“At 2-0 we have to be demanding in everything we do. In the Premier League and Champions League the opponent can change the result or come back like they were trying to do but the second half we started like I wanted. Controlling the game, getting good positioning, and progressively we were getting chances. So so calm the second half. First half I finished a bit upset with the players. We must try to be consistent and demanding.”
What is the latest on Duran and also could you talk about Arsenal’s bid for Watkins?
“The club is working and we have to be intelligent and competitive. When we are developing players and increasing our objectives, getting it and playing in the Champions League, we are in the eyes of strong teams and leagues like Arabia.”I can feel proud of it because they are improving and players are of interest to other clubs. As well, they are paying good money for us. Our objective is to keep the structure intelligently.
“Sometimes maybe we have to sell players, but as well change and replace them with good players as well. If he is leaving, it is good news for us because it is good money for us and we have developed the player in two years getting this offer. This is for the club, players and the team. Those three circumstances and minimum of two: the club and the team.”
Can you guarantee Watkins will stay?“I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs or interest. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad. Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”
How frustrating is the timing of these reports?
“For me it doesn’t matter because we have to accept it, but it’s most important how the players respond. We have a lot of speculation around the players in the squad but they’re showing us they are here mature and responsible. Today we had a lot of players out for different circumstances. For example, if we are speaking about Kamara’s performance today as a centre-back … wow! He was fantastic. Maybe he is the next player teams will try to sign because he’s fantastic!”
How proud are you to reach the Champions League round of 16?
“We started talking about the top eight after beating Bayern Munich at home. We had to try to be ambitious with the possibility of getting it. Last week I was very upset after Monaco. After the result I was not positive. We got it and we will avoid two matches, but sometimes it is better to play as you can show your capacity and potential. Our first priority was to get the last 16 and we are not contenders to win at the end, but we want to compete and this is the most important objective”
Was the bid for Duran too good to turn down?
“You know my opinion about him. He has fantastic potential. I was trying to get him with my advice for everything. I was so, so close with him, working with him in his development. The players have their ambitions and sometimes they are impatient. If he leaves it is because he wants to do another way in his career. I told you last week, I wanted him here. After West Ham I told you I want him here. But what does he want?”
Is it frustrating to see him leaving the Champions League for the Saudi Pro League?
“We are different people, different person, different objectives.”