Emery ready for test against 'best team in league' Man City

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is relishing the opportunity to challenge "the best team in the league" when his side play Manchester City at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins' 90th-minute equaliser rescued a point for Villa as they drew 2-2 with in-form Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, but they face a different test against City on Wednesday.

Only one point separates the teams in the table with the reigning champions sat in third having drawn their last three matches.

Villa are one place behind them in fourth, having accumulated 10 points from their last five league games — and Emery is looking forward to coming up against top opposition.

He said: "We are very motivated and we can speak about how we are before the match against City: fourth in the table and tomorrow is match 15.

"We have to enjoy, we have to focus and we have to prepare the match in the best way possible because we are going to face a very great opportunity.

"It's a great opportunity to show how we can face the best team in the league, who won this title last year. 

"We are going to see how we can show our performance, how we can show our moment and try to be consistent like we are doing at home.

"Tomorrow is another test and an awesome test of how we can show our potential.

"We are analysing the opponent and analysing them more collectively than individually. I think their structure is very strong, it’s very difficult to stop their ball possession.

"They will have some players out but they are going to play with other very good players."

Emery confirmed that midfielder Boubacar Kamara is available for the City clash after serving a one-match suspension.

Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings are long-term absentees for Villa but Emery will assess the squad following a busy run of fixtures which saw them face Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League on Thursday before Sunday’s league draw against Bournemouth.