Fulham tonight at Villa Park and press conference bits from the BBC

I don’t really care much for Saturday evening matches and it’s funny I write that even after what I wrote before the League Cup match in the week, because Unai Emery doesn’t really care much for the League Cup.

He never has and we all know that, so we take it on the chin and we move on.

What he does care about is European football and to get European football next season we need to do well in the League and tonight, we’re playing Fulham in the League and this is what matters.

Tonight will be a different approach and it’s what matters. The starting eleven will be quite different and our approach to the game will also be different.

We’ll see something to the game that we’re not seeing in the Chelsea and Manchester United game right now and that’s me proving that I’m really writing this post at the last minute and what follows is going to prove that I have little left in the tank.

Sorry, it’s been a busy few weeks and it’s coming to a head, so I’ll have more time soon. Talking about time, that’s something you do when you’re found guilty of a crime. Talking of crime, that usually follows something legal and Aston Villa are going to instigate legal proceedings against Jamie Carragher for insults made against the Club and fans.

I like our owners and this is going to be seen by many as not the right thing to do and we might not actually do it, if Jamie Carragher comes out and apologises, but I like it that our owner, who can do what he wants, is doing what he wants.

But this post is about tonight. It’s going to be a great game and we’re going to see the Aston Villa we didn’t see in midweek and for the reasons I’ve written above. That doesn’t mean three points, it means we’re going to see something different.

And all that written, it’s time to demonstrate even further I’m filling this post… but it’s good content. Up the Villa!

Press conference bits from the BBC

• Emery insisted Villa’s “only focus” is Fulham, despite Barcelona and Manchester United also coming up. He added: “If we are thinking after the match against Fulham, then we are making a mistake and we are completely wrong. We are prioritising the Premier League, and this is the message. To keep our consistency and demands means that each match is a test.”

• Asked what Nicolas Jackson needs to do to become even better, Emery replied: “Time. Time and consistency. High demands of himself in his everyday tasks. I am happy with him but I also know he has a lot to do as well to try to get better and be more consistent.”

• On whether Jackson and Johan Manzambi were rested for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat by Bournemouth: “For different reasons, not only rest. We are going to train and normally, yes [they will be fine to play on Saturday].”

• Emery also praised Taylor Harwood-Bellis after his performance in midweek: “Very good. Taylor is a fantastic guy, very professional. He knows how he has to progress with us, understands everything and practises.”

• On Leon Goretzka’s best position: “The first one is to be available to play. He started being available two weeks ago. He needs to understand our idea, and we are adapting to him too because his quality is clear.”

• On whether there are still six teams stronger than Villa to achieve a Champions League qualifying position: “It depends. We showed in the past years we were. But this year, until now, no. Other things are not being consistent, like Tottenham and Manchester United. We must focus on our own way, and our objective is clear - try to be in front of those contenders to be in the top six. The Premier League is very difficult because there are a lot of teams not in the contender position at the beginning of the season but every year they are fighting with the [other] teams to [prove] they should be there. We try to get consistency but each year is a test.”