Unai Emery sets work-rate benchmark for Tammy Abraham at Aston Villa | OneFootball

Unai Emery has told Tammy Abraham he will be judged as much on work rate as on goals. As reported by ExpressAndStar.com, the Aston Villa head coach set that marker while discussing the striker’s recent impact.

Abraham was the hero last weekend, coming off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner in the 4-3 defeat of Sunderland that nudged Villa closer to a Champions League place. It was only his second Premier League goal since arriving from Besiktas in January, after a late equaliser earned a 1-1 draw with Leeds in February.

He has started only one top-flight match, with Emery keeping faith with Ollie Watkins. Before the Sunderland game the manager set out clear requirements, prioritising team duty and duels, with goals welcome but secondary to sustained running, fighting and defending.

Emery is broadly satisfied with the 28-year-old’s progress, saying a return to the Premier League after four and a half years requires adaptation. He pointed to Youri Tielemans as an example, noting the Belgium international needed time before becoming a consistent performer.

Abraham struck 26 goals while on loan from Chelsea in 2018-19 as Villa won promotion from the Championship. He subsequently joined Roma in 2021 and also played for Milan during his time in Italy.

Emery added that Abraham must align with Villa’s tactical structure and find consistency in training and minutes on the pitch. He said every player completing their task is vital, otherwise weaknesses appear across the team.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com