Jürgen Klopp makes stunning Unai Emery admission ahead of Liverpool vs Aston Villa

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has commended Unai Emery and Aston Villa ahead of this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash between the two sides at Anfield. The German is doing a splendid recovery job of his own having led the Reds to seven straight wins but that doesn’t stop Villa from impressing him.

Emery was mightily disappointed to be knocked out of the FA Cup by Stevenage but that has probably been the only real negative since he took over from Steven Gerrard in the dugout. The former Arsenal head coach has won 14 of his 25 matches to date, guiding the Villans from relegation battlers to Europa League fighters.

Klopp, who doesn’t always offer high praise, certainly hasn’t ignored Villa’s progress and he made sure to compliment both Emery and the club. “Aston Villa...my God,” Klopp said. “They play a superb second half of the season and fight for Europe as well, so it will be tricky. Unai is doing a heck of a job at Aston Villa. We have to make sure we’re ready.”

The reverse fixture saw Liverpool beat Villa by three goals to one on Boxing Day but it was a very different claret and blue side back then. Klopp will no doubt recognise that and will prepare accordingly, whereas Emery is eager to continue the fine progress with what he describes as a “big challenge”.

“We had another step ahead improving [with our win over Tottenham Hotspur] but now our big challenge is coming again against Liverpool away because away we are not as competitive as before. But we are going to work strongly, trying to get a strong opportunity to get a Europe position,” Emery continued.

As it stands, Liverpool have already secured Europa League football for next season but they are just one point away from the top four, albeit with one extra game played. Villa, meanwhile, are in eighth but just two goal difference behind Tottenham in the seventh. Brighton & Hove Albion are one point ahead with two matches in hand.