UNAI Emery has hit back at accusations from Belgium boss Rudi Garcia that he has ‘overplayed’ Aston Villa star Youri Tielemans this season.
Tielemans has missed Villa’s last two games with a calf injury. But Emery hinted that the club’s Player of the Season would be in contention to play at Manchester United on Sunday – a game Villa must win to stand any chance of qualifying for a second successive Champions League campaign.
Garcia had said earlier this week – ahead of Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Wales – that Tielemans ‘played too much’.
He added: “I really hope Aston Villa’s medical staff have analysed it well for Youri, and that he doesn’t come back too soon and re-injure himself this weekend.
“If he doesn’t play, it’s not a problem. I’d rather we take care of his recovery ourselves. At least that way, we’ll be sure of the quality of the recovery.
“I would even say it’s not surprising that he got injured, because to me, he played too much.
“Sure, Amadou Onana was injured for a while, but I think within Villa’s squad, there were ways to give him some rest at times.
“They have John McGinn who can play there to. So, in my opinion, they had plenty of players to give Youri a break and avoid injury.
“I don’t like calf injuries because they’re sneaky.”
But Emery brushed off those comments and said that Tielemans would train ahead of the United game – and could return to the starting line up at Old Trafford.
The Spaniard said: “We have very good coaches, physios and doctors here.
“But we’re always extremely demanding in how we choose who plays.
“We always respect the national teams, but his process here is always very clear without doubt.
“Maybe other people don’t have the information we have here every day, from which we can make our decisions.
“Youri trained yesterday (Friday), the first day back, and today, he’ll train again. If he’s feeling good and comfortable, without some any doubt, he will be with the team and the squad for Sunday.”
Emery insisted that Emi Martinez was ‘focused’ for the game despite a week of transfer speculation following the victory over Tottenham last week.
The Argentina keeper appeared to be emotional at the final whistle – sparking talk of a summer move from Villa Park.
But Emery made it clear that Martinez, 32, still has four years left on his contract.
A move to Saudi Arabia is possible, while Atletico Madrid and United have also shown interest.
The Villa boss said: “He is so focused, he showed last week against Tottenham that he’s performing well – now, he’s in his best moment.
“But my only speculation is to play on Sunday, to be ready for Sunday and to get our best performances on Sunday.”
Emery is wary of United – and boss Ruben Amorim – despite Wednesday’s Europa League Final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao.
He added: “The greatness of Manchester United will still be there, the great coach they have is still there. He did a fantastic job at Sporting Lisbon and not for one year, but two or three years, consistently.
“When he arrived there it was a difficult moment they were in two competitions – as well in the FA Cup – and trying to be consistent, but they chose the Europa League because it was a very good way to try to get through to their target to be in Europe in the Champions League.
“Of course, only of them could achieve the objective and they lost.
“But I have massive respect for Manchester United, for the players and for the coach.
“I expect the best of them because they will play honestly for the Premier League, for their supporters to try to show their capacity to perform and compete in the level they are.
“I’m very positive, very excited and very motivated for Sunday.”
