World · Malaysia Bureau
Villa boss Emery calls on squad to overcome home disadvantage
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has urged his players to adapt to reduced home support as Villa Park undergoes refurbishment work. The club's recent domestic form has suffered, with two defeats and a draw across their last three matches at home.
LSN Malaysia ·
Villa Park's ongoing renovation project has resulted in lower stadium capacity, reducing the traditional home advantage that typically benefits the Birmingham-based club. The reduced attendance figures appear to have coincided with a dip in the team's performance on their own pitch.
Emery acknowledged the challenge posed by the construction work but stressed that his squad must find ways to compensate for the diminished crowd atmosphere. He called on players to maintain their competitive standards regardless of external circumstances, emphasising that professional teams must adapt to varying conditions throughout a season.
The Villa manager's comments come as the club aims to bounce back from their recent domestic setback. With the refurbishment expected to continue through the season, Emery indicated that the team would need to draw motivation from sources beyond the crowd support they have historically enjoyed at Villa Park.
The refurbishment project is part of Villa's broader infrastructure development, with completion targeted for later in the season. Until then, the club and its players face the dual challenge of dealing with reduced capacity while maintaining their performance levels in the Premier League.