Sean Dyche, the Nottingham Forest manager, addressed the media ahead of the upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa. The game is scheduled for Saturday at Villa Park, kicking off at 12:30 GMT.
Team News Ahead of the Clash with Aston Villa
Dyche provided an update on his squad, mentioning that overall, team news is positive. “Mostly good, there’s a few carrying knocks, but we’re hopeful,” he stated. Ola Aina is set to return to the squad, which is seen as a boost.
Reflections on Recent Matches
Following Nottingham Forest’s recent 2-1 defeat to Manchester City, Dyche had discussions with Howard Webb, the head of PGMOL. He characterized the talks as civil, remarking, “There were some minor disagreements, but nothing more than just a chat.”
Dyche acknowledged the significance of VAR in the game. He noted, “I didn’t think our decisions were particularly difficult. I stand by that.”
Challenges Faced by Nottingham Forest
Dyche identified the need for his team to be more clinical in front of goal. “Everyone wants their players to score goals,” he emphasized. He expressed frustration with the number of close matches that could have swung in their favor.
- Current standings are better than when he arrived.
- Focus remains on Premier League performance over the Europa League.
- Winning outcomes have been impacted by soft goals and missed opportunities.
Looking Ahead: The Challenge of Aston Villa
Discussing Aston Villa, Dyche praised Unai Emery for his managerial success and acknowledged the club’s effective recruitment strategy. “They’ve spent a lot of money on very good players, which has helped them form a solid unit,” he noted.
Dyche believes facing Aston Villa will be a demanding task. “We’ve shown lately that we can compete well against top teams. However, rising to the occasion against all teams remains a challenge for us,” he explained.
As preparations continue, Dyche remains committed to hard work on the training pitch, emphasizing that progress is a continual journey. “The only way out of our current predicament is through dedication and effort,” he stated.
