Emery warns Aston Villa that Manchester United are ‘at Barcelona’s level’

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has likened Manchester United to Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting at Old Trafford, warning his players that they face an exceptionally demanding test despite their opponents’ inconsistent form this season.

Speaking in comments reported by The Sun, Emery said Aston Villa would need to produce an outstanding performance against Manchester United. He referred to Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over his side in the Champions League as an example of the standard required against elite opposition.

“We performed according to our plan against Barcelona, but it was not enough against an opponent operating at an extremely high level, matching the highest standards in the Premier League and the Champions League,” said Emery.

“We are going to face Manchester United, a team at Barcelona’s level. That is the challenge we are preparing for with the players, because it requires a huge effort.”

Aston Villa will arrive at Old Trafford seeking to extend their unbeaten run to six matches and strengthen their position in the Premier League. Manchester United, meanwhile, are attempting to improve their campaign under Michael Carrick after a difficult start, having won only one league match this season.

The fixture presents a particularly tough challenge for Aston Villa given their record at Manchester United’s ground. Emery has never won at Old Trafford during his managerial career, while Aston Villa have lost their past six matches there in all competitions.

“We have not won there for four years, and that shows how difficult the task is for us,” Emery said.

The Spanish manager also recalled Aston Villa’s failure to secure Champions League qualification two years ago, when they came close to achieving that objective during a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He said playing at the stadium remains a major test for both himself and his squad.

Although Emery acknowledged Manchester United’s uneven beginning to the season, he stressed that the club have the quality and history to recover. He also pointed to their qualification for the Champions League last season as evidence of their capabilities, insisting that facing them remains extremely difficult.

Manchester United’s recent struggles have not changed Emery’s assessment of the challenge awaiting Aston Villa. He believes his team must combine individual quality with a strong collective display if they are to take anything from the match.

“We need to give our best individually and collectively,” he said. “We have to work very hard and compete strongly if we want to get a positive result at Manchester United’s home.”