Aston Villa were dealt a blow ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest after Emiliano Martinez picked up an injury within the warm-up.
The 33-year-old featured in Thursday night’s Europa League win against Bologna but was unable to take his place within the starting line-up on the City ground and was replaced by Marco Bizot.
In consequence, 21-year-old James Wright, who’s yet to make a senior appearance for Villa, was named on the substitutes’ bench.
Given Villa’s continued involvement in Europe, Emery rotated his team again for the challenge of facing a Forest side who’re desperate to choose up points within the battle to beat the drop.
‘Each match is different, each competition is different,’ said the Villa boss. ‘The players are ready they usually are specializing in how vital it’s for us.
‘Constructing our team, with our structure is very important. Attempting to get one of the best with the starting players and the players on the bench.
‘Victor Lindelof is playing brilliantly and Ross Barkley isn’t playing in Europe which is very important.
‘We attempt to set our structure on the sphere from minute one.’
Three points would have cemented Villa’s position within the driving seat to secure Champions League qualification with Chelsea in motion against Manchester City in a while Sunday.
Emery added; ‘We’re in game 32 and it’s [about] three points today with the momentum that we have now. Keep going and attempting to focus in each moment.’
Forest’s probabilities of staying up got an enormous boost prior to the international break in consequence of their comprehensive 3-0 win over Tottenham.
Villa, nevertheless, were more likely to represent an altogether different test in accordance with their manager, Vitor Pereira, who is a big admirer of the progress Emery’s side have made in recent seasons.
He said; ‘When we have now quality and character, it gives you confidence in your side.
‘We wish to be mentally and physically fresh to face Aston Villa at our greatest level.’