DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES WORRY EMERY

Villa boss wants side to stop leaking goals as they prepare to face free-scoring Bayern

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MUNICH - Aston Villa manager Unai Emery warned that his side have to improve defensively ahead of their Champions League meeting against Bayern Munich on Oct 2.

The Midlands side have let in nine goals in six English Premier League games this season and have yet to keep a clean sheet. The Villans have registered just eight clean sheets from their previous 44 league matches.

Emery said on Oct 1: "We are not defending like last year. It's not for the defenders, the goalkeeper, it's for everyone. The first defenders are the strikers and the first attacking player is the goalkeeper.

"We have to improve because we cannot concede the goals we are conceding each match we are playing. I believe in our work, but we are conceding more goals than normal."

But the 52-year-old Spaniard refused to single out any player for blame, adding: "Football is mistakes, we have to accept we are making mistakes.

"I am trying to rectify my mistakes, tactically when I am analysing my decisions during the match and it's my responsibility to correct those and not repeat them. For the players, it's the same."