Ross Barkley shares Aston Villa's private target after Man Utd 'disappointment'
Aston Villa secured a place in the Champions League last season under Unai Emery and it appears that the Spaniard is not letting standards drop after the weekend's stalemate with Manchester United
Ross Barkley said Aston Villa lost two points - but confirmed they are again targeting Champions League qualification.
The former England international started his first Premier League game against Manchester United and emerged afterwards to say that Villa were disappointed with a share of the spoils following a goalless stalemate. However, he did admit that the target is to repeat the feat again in the Premier League - Villa finished fourth last season - and to plonk some silverware in a trophy cabinet that has remained bare since 1996.
He said: “I was happy to get my first start in the league - and there were positives to take out of the game - it felt like two points lost now rather than one gained because of how good we are. The disappointment from the Manchester United game is not coming away with a win.
“The main objective is to improve upon last season. The club finished in the top four. That’s what we are striving for again. The dream is to win silverware.
“From the performance we put in in midweek and the points we’ve been putting on the board, we really wanted to take them. The clean sheet is a positive.”
It has been a slow-burn for Barkley since he agreed to become one of Emery’s first captures during the summer. He has waited patiently for his chance and has had an influence on matches - such as his entrance against former club Everton off the substitutes’ bench.
He said: “I feel like I’ve made a difference coming off the bench, the team has either been drawing or getting beat or we needed to see out games. It all helps with your confidence. Coming in, I knew what the manager wants, I’m doing that, so there’s loads to look forward to from my point of view. I’m feeling good, but the more minutes I rack up, the better I know I’ll feel.”
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Barkley admitted that working with Emery had been an eye-opener. He said: “From pre-season until now, I’ve learnt a lot and I’m sure I’ll learn a lot going forward.
“I’ve enjoyed it around the place, on the training pitch and on game day, I see the enthusiasm he has and it’s different to any manager that I’ve had before. His approach is a lot different I’ve worked for a lot of top managers and they have certain ways that are world-class.
“Unai’s intense with the lads when it comes to analysis on the training pitch, standards and on game days. He is really intense. He really ticks all the boxes.”
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