Unai Emery shares what Sunderland star Granit Xhaka now thinks about his future
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has shared what Sunderland star Granit Xhaka thinks about his future, having worked with him at Arsenal.
Sunderland travel to Villa as the race for Europe heats up
Emery knows Xhaka better than most, having worked with him for two years at Arsenal.
The Spaniard saw him develop into a true leader, and saw first hand what the Swiss midfielder brings to the dressing room.
Now, with the pair set to go head-to-head at Villa Park on Sunday, the Villa boss has not held back in singing his former player’s praises – while revealing what the future holds for him.
Villa host Sunderland on Sunday afternoon in a Premier League clash with real implications at both ends of the European conversation.
The Villans sit fourth in the table with the top four in their sights, while Sunderland come in tenth – just one win away from causing serious damage in the European race.
For a club that has been playing Championship football for the past 12 months, that is quite the story.
Sunderland have given up major damage ahead of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest
It is welcome news for Regis Le Bris.
The timing couldn’t be more dire for Emery’s side.
Villa demolished Bologna 4-0 on Thursday night to progress to the Europa League semi-finals 7-1 on aggregate, and the English side’s battle with Nottingham Forest now looms large.
Ollie Watkins marked the occasion by scoring his 100th goal for the club, and Villa will be keen to keep that kind of momentum going from both sides.
However, Emery will be under no illusions about what Sunday brings.
Sunderland beat Spurs 1-0 last weekend at the Stadium of Light, a result that moved them up to mid-table and left them a point behind in seventh place, so this is not a team that will come to Villa Park to park the bus and hope for the best.
The Black Cats may have Nilson Angulo back from injury for the tournament, but at the heart of everything Sunderland do is Xhaka.
Unai Emery shares what Granit Xhaka plans for the future
Emery was asked about his former player in the build-up to the game and he did not answer well, calling the 33-year-old a leader in every way – a player who is already thinking about life in the dugout after his playing days.
“My experience with (Xhaka) was very good. He is a top-class boy, he is a top-class player,” said Emery.
“His career has been very good. He is coming back here to Sunderland after going to Germany, because I think he wants to continue competing at a high level.
“I know that he is training for the coach, for the future, and he is a leader on the field, and for them, he is a very important player.
“And the other players, they have very good players too. They work on it, it’s very good, and he is very important, Granit Xhaka, the way he does.”
The former Gunner has been a revelation in every way since joining Regis Le Bris.
His 7.30 game average makes him the best player on the entire squad this season (FotMob), and his five league assists rank him as the team’s top scorer as well.
Xhaka himself was enthusiastic after Spurs’ victory, calling on the football world to give Sunderland more respect and reminding everyone that he was told there were two chances to stay when he signed.
Survival was assured long ago, and now the ambition has shifted to something more exciting.
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The Black Cats are looking to strengthen their front line this summer.
