Youri Tielemans spoke exclusively to BirminghamLive from Aston Villa’s pre-season training base in Nashville, USA
03:37, 29 Jul 2025Updated 13:23, 29 Jul 2025
John Townley interviewing Youri Tielemans
If Aston Villa achieve their goals in the upcoming campaign, Youri Tielemans will play a key role.
The club’s player of the season last term, Tielemans is one appearance shy of a century in claret and blue after joining on a free transfer from Leicester City two summers ago – a move that has proven to be an excellent pick-up.
Tielemans essentially replaced Douglas Luiz last summer, despite already being in Emery’s squad, and quickly dispelled any fears about how Villa would cope without the Brazilian.
After posting 11 goal contributions in his first season at Villa, Tielemans managed 15 in the last campaign, also ranking in the Premier League’s top 10 for metrics like key passes, passes into the final third, progressive passes, through balls, and even tackles won.
“I was very consistent in most of the games,” Tielemans said in an exclusive interview with BirminghamLive in Nashville.
“I actually felt stronger and stronger as the season went on. I am very happy with last season, but now I want to build on that, stay consistent and help the team to hopefully achieve our targets.”
Villa are currently out in the States, gearing up for a third full season under Unai Emery, who has transformed the club since replacing Steven Gerrard in November 2022.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
Tielemans was the first summer signing Emery made as Villa manager. Although it took him time to adapt to what the Spaniard wanted from him on the pitch, he has become a crucial element of the team.
After starting in the 2-2 draw with Frankfurt on Saturday, the Belgian will step up his fitness in the coming days and weeks, with Villa playing MLS sides St. Louis and Nashville this week, followed by matches against AS Roma, Marseille, and Villarreal next week.
“We know how training camps are, we are out on the grass trying to put some movements together and plans for when the season starts,” the midfielder continued.
“We also have physical work and it is really good to be together for a period of time. You just want to enjoy the time with each other and get to know each other better than what you already know.
“Pre-season is all about a lot of running and preparing for the season ahead.”
Villa’s first objective every season is to qualify for European football, but next season they will have two shots at achieving their aspirational goal of securing Champions League qualification.
A disappointing 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on the final day of last season denied Villa a return to UEFA’s elite club competition.
John Townley interviewing Youri Tielemans
At 28 years of age, and with over 600 club and national team appearances to his name, Tielemans is now one of the most experienced heads in Emery’s squad.
He will be important both on and off the pitch next term as Villa look to return to the Champions League and end their 29-year wait for a trophy.
“I know I have a lot of experience, I started very young and I have travelled in two different countries now. For me, it is a natural process,” Tielemans explained.
“I know I’m one of the most experienced players now, but I just try to enjoy my football and show on the pitch how it needs to be and how it works – hopefully the rest follows.”
However, the former Leicester star claims it’s getting harder every year to get into the Champions League.
“As an individual I just want to stay consistent and play as well as possible and stay healthy. Then, on the other side, with the team, we just really want to push on and try to get that Champions League spot which we just missed out on last year,” he added.
“We know every season gets more difficult so we just have to take it from the game. Prepare well now and then in the first game go full on and we will see where we go.”
Youri Tielemans training in NashvilleWhat do you make of Tielemans’ comments? Tell us hereREAD MORE: Get the latest Aston Villa in the USA tour news sent straight to your phoneREAD MORE: Rejuvenated Donyell Malen admits ‘difficult’ Aston Villa challenge and makes Man United point