8 notes from 5 press conferences
"After our poor start, we have to try to keep balance in the table." Unai Emery says the Premier League is Villa's priority despite the Champions League win over Fenerbahçe. With Man City on 24 October and a Carabao Cup tie to come, he'll keep sharing minutes.
"Not 80%, to be 100%": Unai Emery picks Villa's side for Newcastle (Premier League, 17 October) after training; some are tired or sore from Fenerbahçe, none injured. Ross Barkley played 85 minutes "with some pain" and Emery wouldn't commit. George Hemmings may rejoin the group.
Brian Madjo is back with the Villa group after injury ahead of Newcastle in the Premier League on 17 October, but Unai Emery wants patience: Nicolas Jackson scored twice and Tammy Abraham once in the Champions League rout of Fenerbahce. "We can't play with three strikers."
Ibrahim Mbaye has now started back-to-back games for Aston Villa, at Coventry and then against Fenerbahce in the Champions League on 14 October. Unai Emery said he "gave us a lot of things positive offensively." Next: Newcastle in the Premier League on 17 October.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, usually a right-back, is adapting to left-back at Aston Villa and gaining confidence there, Unai Emery said on 14 October: "Aaron is adapting in the left side as a fullback." Villa face Newcastle in the Premier League on 17 October.
Nicolas Jackson is "feeling better and better" as he settles at Villa, Unai Emery said after the Champions League win over Fenerbahçe. Ibrahim Mbaye and Johan Manzambi are among the newer players who "are getting better and showing it," he added.
"We are no contender to get this trophy." Unai Emery played down Villa's Champions League chances after beating Fenerbahçe, naming around 10 very powerful teams as the favourites. He also said the scoreline was too harsh on Fenerbahçe, who "didn't deserve this result."
Ibrahim Mbaye made his first European start for Villa in the Champions League win. Nicolas Jackson, his national-team teammate, wants more of it: "Hopefully... he will get more... time to play." That is a teammate's hope, not a selection call from the manager.