Unai Emery adopts a tough love approach with his young Aston Villa stars as the Spaniard looks to mould his team into genuine contenders as they push for a Champions League place

It would be a mistake to think the ever-polite Unai Emery is a soft touch, even if he lacks the snarl and glare of his top-four rival Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.

Midfielder Morgan Rogers, signed from Middlesbrough in January, offered a fascinating insight into Emery’s tough love after Villa doggedly beat Wolves to remain in the box for automatic Champions League qualification.

“He really likes to mention that I’m a championship player,” Rogers, 21, said, somewhat surprisingly. ‘He’s trying to push me because he wants me to get to the next level and he’s trying to show me that I can.

‘That’s the kind of relationship we have. It’s something motivating, not negative. If I’m not at 100 percent level every day in training, he’ll be the first to let me know.

‘I wouldn’t want to change that. He pushes me and I feel like I’m getting better.’

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Rogers was excellent on Saturday night in just his second Premier League start and was part of a Villa team that overcame a slow start to score in each half through Moussa Diaby and defender Ezri Konsa. The latter is on cloud nine after making his debut for England against Brazil in the recent international break.

Villa remain three points clear of Tottenham but face a difficult trip to Manchester City and await news on top scorer Ollie Watkins, who was withdrawn at half-time after feeling discomfort in a hamstring. Emery hopes that medical advice to take no risks has prevented further injury.

The Wolves played well but lacked a cutting edge without Hwang Hee-chan, Matheus Cunha and Pedro Neto. In his absence, 18-year-old Leon Chiwome participated in his top-flight debut.

Gary O’Neil’s coaching ability has caught the attention of Manchester United and they can use that as leverage to try to persuade Wolves to field a deeper team next season.

“The injuries have exhausted us,” he admitted.