Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has denied suggestions that he will be raiding his old club Villarreal in the winter.

The Spaniard has taken over from Steven Gerrard as manager at Villa Park, and already got a win in his first game against Manchester United at home on Sunday.

With Emery hoping to improve the team, he denied that Villarreal would be the place he goes to secure new signings.

"We must also talk about respect for the players," Emery told MARCA.

"There are players here who are underperforming. I want to give them the opportunity to help them improve and improve their performance.

"But we have to be professionals and see if we are right in the changes we must make. You have to be very demanding in the changes. We want to improve the team and make the right decisions with new players. The template can be improved. We are convinced that we will be able to do it."

On Villarreal, Emery added: "Villarreal has demanding objectives and they have achieved them. The best thing about Villarreal has been making a winning team.

"That abroad gives you tremendous recognition and in Europe you are highly respected. The professionals who are inside have that recognition. Also the players. Villarreal and Aston Villa must be contextualized.

"My objective is not to bring players from Villarreal, it is to bring the concept that we generated at Villarreal. From there, if a player fits us and we can do it, we would take the step."