Unai Emery has revealed the conversation he had with Douglas Luiz when the boss issued the challenge
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery issues challenge to Douglas Luiz after being called up to Brazil
Unai Emery won’t let Douglas Luiz rest on his laurels after being recalled to the Brazil squad – he expects the midfielder to make an even bigger impact for Aston Villa this season.
Luiz was named the club’s player of the year last season and continued his impressive form this term by becoming the first player to score in six consecutive Premier League home games last month.
His progress under Emery has been recognized by Brazil coach Fernando Diniz, who believes the 25-year-old can become a mainstay for the Selecao.
“It’s very important and I’m very happy for him,” Emery said of Luiz.
“But I am also demanding of him, very demanding.
He is progressing and playing well.
He is playing more consistent at home than away.
“I spoke to him and told him he is very important for us and Aston Villa and he has improved a lot but: ‘You can do more.
I will try motivate you to do more.
Of course, I I’m very happy for your call and I think it’s very important for you and the club.
I think he can take more responsibility in our build-up.
Of course he is scoring a lot of goals but he can add more assists, as a midfielder for our strikers.
He can be more of a protagonist with the ball, I think.
“For example, on Sunday at Nottingham Forest I was waiting for more from him with the ball when we were in possession.
I was wanting more and demanding more.
The last few games we played at Wolverhampton, Alkmaar and Nottingham are three examples where he can do more.
Every day, in our meetings, I ask everyone.
But now talking about him, there is very good news that he is already in the national team but we can get more from him.
When asked why he thinks Luiz is more stable at home than away, Emery replied: “We are fantastic at home.
We feel very good with the fans, the supporters We, with our attack and defense structure.
We score a lot of goals.
goals and don’t concede.
But away from home, every team and we are different.
“I want to try to get our performance away closer like we are doing at home.
One way is to individually get better performances.
I think it is my challenge.
And of course we are going to try to focus each match.
We’re going to play tomorrow at home AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League which is different to the Premier League.
“And then on Sunday, Fulham are also at home.
But after the international break, we travel, we play Tottenham.
Of course, I try to analyze every day, focus on every match but I try to understand “We know exactly how we can improve clearly collectively and individually to be able to respond quickly.
But you have to analyze, you have to be rigorous because sometimes it’s not just because the player doesn’t feel well.
“Maybe it’s because we as a team need to be stronger, in defense and in attack – trying to get better positions on the field, trying to respect our opponents, but always being strict in our ways.
defending away from home.
For example, on Sunday (against Nottingham Forest) in the last match, we started both halves very badly.
“They surprised us.
Not because we didn’t know, but because we didn’t react quickly.
Those situations happened on the field and then we played more or less well and with the right mindset.
” thought we were trying to match our performance, but it wasn’t enough because we started very badly.
