Unai Emery names midfielder setting the example at Aston Villa as landmark looms
Unai Emery wants other players to follow Youri Tielemans’ lead as the Villa midfielder prepares to bring up his half century this season.
Tielemans is the only player to have started every Premier League match and will become the first in the top-flight to hit 50 appearances in all competitions this term when Villa face Manchester City on Tuesday night.
The Belgium international started only 17 league matches last season after joining on a free transfer but has become a crucial member of Emery’s team and the boss believes he is setting the perfect example for others.
He said:”Last year was difficult for him because he needed some time to adapt to us and he had some players in front of him playing, like for example Douglas Luiz.
“This year he's been consistent, really consistent. I think he's one of the leaders on the field.
"He's a player for us who is very important and he's an example for others.
"Some players, they are joining us this year and they are not playing in the starting XI and they need time.
"He's one example. Last year how he was progressing and progressively understanding better and as well being consistent. And this year he's performing very well.
"This is the player for me as an example as well in the mentality we want.”
Emery thinks Tielemans, who has set up a goal in each of Villa’s last three Premier League games, also has the right attitude away from the training ground.
“He's one of those players who is very, very professional,” said the boss.
"His life is football, his family, his responsibility. Be mature, be responsible. That’s another message I always send in the dressing room.
"We need a responsible player and we need mature players. Because our responsibility collectively is so, so big, to try to get everything.
"And he's one of those players getting this message and trying to show, to share this message for others."
