After answering injury-ravaged Villa’s SOS call, defender Calum Chambers received plaudits from Unai Emery for his professionalism.
Following Pau Torres’ forced substitution at halftime in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Nottingham Forest, Chambers made his first Premier League debut of the year.
Despite Emery informing him he was unlikely to play, the 29-year-old turned down offers to depart both during the January transfer window and last summer.
“I told him to stay ready,” Emery remarked. Keep your attention on everything you are doing throughout practice.
“I’ve involved him in everything, and he played on Saturday when we needed him.” I’m overjoyed for him.
“He’s a very good man that I respect a lot, and he’s appreciated in the dressing room.”
As a professional, I made the decision to let him go even last summer, and I did it again in January. I will always appreciate him for having chosen to remain here.
Villa is still cautiously optimistic. Torres will be prepared to take on the Hatters after being forced off due to muscle soreness.
Prior to this past Saturday, Chambers had only made appearances in the Europa Conference League and the Carabao Cup; however, he was left off of Villa’s roster for the latter competition’s final stages.