Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday in the Premier League, with Alejandro Garnacho left out of Villa's squad for the home game. Unai Emery explained that decision and also spoke about Nicolas Jackson and Zion Suzuki.
Why Garnacho was not in the squad
Garnacho was not included in Aston Villa's squad for the Premier League game against Manchester City at home on Saturday afternoon. Emery said: "He played fantastic 20 minutes on Wednesday in Champions League, but today as well we have players as well now ready, available."
Garnacho came on as a substitute in the second half of Villa’s 3-1 win against Viking at Villa Park in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. Speaking about him, Emery said: "And I am happy how he is progressing, and of course will have as well minutes, time to continue in the progression in how he showed with us on Wednesday."
Jackson scores both Villa goals
Both Aston Villa goals against Manchester City came from Jackson. When asked about the difference between Jackson at Villa and Villarreal, Emery said: "Mature, experience, confidence, and he is very demanding himself."
Emery also said: "Today, he scored two goals, but the last matches he’s scoring goals."
He added: "Now, he’s getting his shots better, as well he’s working fantastic tactically, fantastic. He is understanding as well where we need him."
Emery on Jackson's role
On Jackson's game, Emery said: "Sometimes he can drop, because he’s good at getting duels, but we need him more running in behind."
He also said: "He has his quality and his power. His speed is fantastic, and as well his capacity to get duels man-to-man, or to attack players to pass for another."
Emery said: "So today, he scored two goals, but the most important how he did his work, his task."
Emery praises Suzuki
Speaking about Suzuki, Emery said: "He’s ambitious. I think it’s very important, his mentality. He’s very ambitious himself."
Emery said: "Of course, we need one keeper first to save us in the goal, but as well we need one keeper to try to help us in our build-up."
He added: "And in build-up, he’s a really fantastic player because he can play short, he can understand where is the superiority to break the opponent’s press."
Emery said: "He has as well qualities to do long ball, getting our players in attack. So, we are very, very impressed how he adapted so quick with us."