Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and midfielder Youri Tielemans played down the potential dangers of playing on an artificial pitch when the Villans kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign at Young Boys on Tuesday (5.45pm BST).
The Swiss side unveiled their home Wankdorf Stadium in 2014 to cut costs and help them host more events, with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola saying the grass could be “better” before his side’s 3-1 win in Bern last October.
“We decided to come here because we want to get to know and get used to the artificial pitch,” said Emery, explaining why Villa changed plans to train locally.
“We are ready and we will not use it as an excuse because we can play as we are and show our personality on the artificial pitch.”
Aston Villa vs Young Boys
Tielemans played in the Champions League with former clubs Anderlecht and Monaco. “I can’t say that we are worried,” said the Belgian player.
“We’ve all played on astroturf in our youth careers. If you’re used to playing on Premier League pitches, on good grass, it’s different.
“That’s why we train here and get used to it at the top. We don’t make excuses for tomorrow.”
Villa Champions League team news
Three-time Europa League winner Emery managed a 2-0 home win and a 4-1 away win against Young Boys as Villarreal manager during the club’s 2021-22 Champions League campaign.
Last year’s Swiss champions, Young Boys beat Galatasaray in the play-offs to reach the group stage of the Champions League but have had a poor start to the Swiss Super League season by their standards, sitting bottom and without a win after six games.
“They are very organized and have a lot of pace with their strikers and wingers,” said Emery. “They’re good at changing and they’re very good physically.”
Emery said striker Leon Bailey could start following a hamstring injury, while Tielemans described the anticipation of the Villa fans.
“When I’m on the road just walking around, I see the Villa fans are very happy about the Champions League and our games as a team,” said the 27-year-old player. “There is a lot of chaos and we feel that as players.”
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