Aston Villa-Juventus: Everything Thiago Motta said | OneFootball

Thiago Motta insisted that he is ‘not bluffing’ about Juventus’s current injury crisis and insisted that Unai Emery is the one who is stretching the truth by calling the Bianconeri favourites, while also explaining what the Old Lady need to do to come away with three points against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

Motta sat down for his customary pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, ahead of his side’s upcoming Champions League clash away against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Motta and Emery are well acquainted with one another, as they spent two years working together at Paris Saint-Germain while the current Villa boss was in charge. Motta was into the final two years of his playing career by that point.

Emery, who spoke before Motta, claimed that Juventus are the favourites against Aston Villa, despite the Bianconeri only having 14 outfield players among their travelling squad.

“I don’t know about that, I’d like to see Emery’s press conference first,” Motta said in response.  “We’ll be up against a great team tomorrow and we’ll go out determined to do our job.”

Motta on Champions League format and impact on Juventus injuries

Asked if he likes the new Champions League format and whether it has had an impact on Juve’s current injury crisis, he said: “We hope not, but I don’t think so, no. I like it. We have to prepare the games differently, and that can only help us grow and improve.

“It’s definitely not a coincidence, and it definitely doesn’t only happen to Juve,” he continued, talking about Juventus’s injury troubles. “You can only deal with this situation by thinking about what’s good for the team, and that is what we’re doing.”

Explaining what he wants to see from Juventus during their test against Villa, Motta said: “Continuity of everything we have done so far. We played a good game against Milan. Tomorrow we’ll play a team who are very dangerous on the counter attack.

“We have to be solid in defence and not leave space for their trequartistas. We have to be compact and defend well. We have to use the ball well when we have it.”

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Francisco Conceicao and Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Juventus at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Motta on Emery and lessons learned from PSG

What did Motta take from his time playing under Emery at PSG?

“Like all the coaches I’ve played under, I’ve tried to improve and learn from them. I don’t have to say anything about his career, he’s proving everything all over again in a team like Aston Villa,” Motta said.

METZ, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 08: Thiago Motta of Paris Saint-Germain Football Club or PSG in action during the Ligue 1 match between Metz and Paris Saint Germain or PSG held at Stade Saint-Symphorien on September 8, 2017 in Metz, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

“That’s why we’ll have humility and determination when we step out onto the pitch.”

Asked again about Emery’s pre-match predictions, Motta said: “I’m not bluffing, Emery made a big bluff in my opinion. I’m positive because I have faith in myself and I have faith in my players. They have a lot of maturity and they will demonstrate it again. I’m not worried.”

Juventus team news

Motta confirmed that Teun Koopmeiners and Andrea Cambiaso will start for Juventus against Aston Villa, but was not willing to give too much more away.

“He’s great, even with the flu. He will definitely play tomorrow. That’s a definite starter for you, along with Cambiaso.”

And on Timothy Weah, Motta added: “Tim can give a lot if he plays. If someone else plays, he’ll give a lot too. I have a lot of faith in the group and everyone will give a decent performance.”