Unai Emery says Aston Villa 'working well' in summer of change

Unai Emery believes Villa are still a club on the up after a summer of significant change.

The boss acknowledged his team may not be in their “best moment” to face Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday’s European Super Cup, with his squad rebuild still unfinished and several key players absent.

But Emery is encouraged by the work Villa are doing following the loss of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne.

Speaking at a press conference in Salzburg, Emery pointed toward the bigger picture and expressed confidence they can continue to challenge the Premier League and Europe’s best.

“I am so, so happy how the club is getting the commitment with us, how we are getting better and keeping consistent, even with the circumstances we have,” he said.

“The club is making a huge effort to build in the same direction, like I am trying.

“Even with the changes, because people are asking about the changes with the coaches and the players.

“But there have always been changes and the club has kept going forward.

“Now we are doing changes but we are working well. I am happy how we are responding, how we are trying to build a team.”

Villa remain in talks with Bayern Munich over a move for midfielder Joao Palhinha and further changes to the squad are certain during the transfer window’s final weeks.

Crystal Palace have reignited their interest in taking Evann Guessand on loan, though Hull City’s move for winger Leon Bailey is in doubt again.

The transfer looked firmly back on last week but Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic confirmed on Tuesday it is once more in doubt.

Jakirovic described the situation as "a bit of a mess” before adding: “If I have to beg someone to come to Hull, it's better they stay and we'll find someone else.

“Today it is off, but it was off before and on again."