Unai Emery refused to revel in Aston Villa's 6-0 rout against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, insisting that his focus was already on St James' Park this Saturday night.
Manzambi's second goal for Villa
The resounding victory saw Johan Manzambi score his second goal for Villa since his £59.5million move from Freiburg in the summer. Back then, Manzambi gave sporting director Ross Wilson a verbal agreement before changing his mind and signing for Villa.
Newcastle were prepared to pay the same fee and wages for Manzambi, but Villa's Champions League ticket appeared to swing the deal for Emery. Manzambi will now look to show Newcastle what they missed out on in the summer ahead of Saturday night's clash on Tyneside.
Emery's focus on Newcastle
Emery was already deeply focused on the game at St James' Park, saying last night: "Keep going, because it’s coming, more matches and difficult matches and now after it, my focus is on Saturday against Newcastle and the players must be so, so focused for it, and keep improving things and working things every day to try to get better."
Villa's performance against the Turkish side had similarities to Newcastle's last game against Coventry, with Emery's team having just 44 per cent possession but proving to be clinical in front of goal by scoring six times from 11 shots on target. Newcastle struggled to make the most of their chances against Coventry, scoring a goal out of the blue from Sven Botman but wasting a series of good chances from closer range through Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy and William Osula.
Players getting fit and firing
Emery has a host of players now fit and firing, including Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye. Emery said last night: "Big contributions (from) those players, but as well, some changes. We need to add players competing, getting fit, feeling comfortable in our structure.
"Some ones, they are progressively getting better and showing it like Mbaye, like Manzambi – of course, after his injury, he is progressively feeling comfortable, today he scored one goal.
"Nicolas Jackson, as well, he is feeling better and better. But we need more players. We need as well in different competitions to be trying to be focused and demanding in the direction we want to build for this season.
"Our start was very poor, but progressively we are getting better, and in the Champions League especially, analysing the match we played today and in Bruges – really fantastic."
Reflecting on his happiness at Villa, Swiss international Manzambi said: "It’s an amazing team, amazing fans and I am very happy to play here. I hope I can give my best for the fans and for the club."
