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A strong mind and a good mentality are the most important traits Unai Emery always looks for when signing a new player, as the Aston Villa boss outlines his intentions this summer.

VIlla chief executive Christian Purslow has already stressed to supporters that the club will be “extremely busy” when the summer transfer window opens. Owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will give head coach Emery exactly what he needs in terms of funds and personnel, as the Basque aims to win a trophy while also bringing European nights back to Villa Park.

However, Emery was impressed with most of the group he inherited from Steven Gerrard in October. Emi Martínez, Tyrone Mings, Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and Ollie Watkins will continue to be great players for next season. However, a pinch of real quality and pedigree will be added to Villa’s squad in pre-season with Villa continually being linked with the likes of Matteo Guendouzi, Nico Williams and Pedro Goncalves.

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When asked about signing high-caliber players, Emery replied: “I respect a lot of players (at Villa) first. We have very good players, but I am very demanding and I am trying to be clinical in my analysis to get players with skills; good mind, strong mind, good mentality, and then the adaptation here will be quick. My decision is very important with the club, and we are on this path.

“Adding players to improve this squad is also demanding. Looking ahead to next summer, we can be optimistic about how we can improve the squad with some players in certain positions. We will be ambitious but also realistic for the next step for the next season and the years to come.”

Emery, 51, added: “I’ve had it all. In Villarreal, Seville, PSG too. I have spent a lot of money and have had different players with different coaching experiences with the clubs.

“When I first met with Aston Villa, with Nassef, he was very, very clear about everything and now we are trying to do everything we talked about on the first day.

“Aston Villa have a great history. Now the present is: great club, great fans. The owners, the supporters, are trying to go one step further. Thinking back was amazing, winning the European Cup in 1982.

“We really have everything to be demanding and ambitious with this club. The level is higher, historically. Over 100 years is one of the best clubs in England.

“It is the challenge I took. I have spoken to the owners and continue to speak to them every day when I meet them. I am very focused and very clear with my point of view about what I want.

“I am sharing with the players, the fans and with you. We have to create but take our time. The players here are good, they are committed. They are listening to the work; videos, individual, tactical. I have always done this in my career and I am not going to change my ideas.

Pressed on whether he will look to sign younger or more experienced players this summer, Emery added: “I’ll mix it up. You need young players. You need experienced players. One of the most important players in the locker room right now is Ashley Young.

“At Villarreal I had Pepe Reina at the age of 40. He had (Raúl) Albiol, 37 years old and they were very important in the squad because of their experience.

“And then you need young players who are hungry to take advantage of their opportunity, who are hungry to listen to everything the coaches tell them.

“And of course, good players! A good player has a good mentality, good skills of course, and he is hungry. We need those qualities in every position with those qualities.

“They must be professional and mature players, but mature players can also be young. One of those is Ramsey, he is young but he is very mature. He’s smart and he’s a good guy.”

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