Mauricio's five-point preview - Villa

The Premier League is back and this season we'll preview matches with Mauricio Pochettino in five points.

It all starts again against Villa on Saturday (5.30pm), so without further delay...

1 - Pre-season

How do you assess pre-season and how are the players?
Mauricio: “I’m a happy man, always optimistic. I told you from the beginning of pre-season that I was happy with the squad and the way we were playing. It was a short pre-season and we need to improve, but I’m happy in the way we are performing and looking forward to the start of the Premier League.”

2 - New arrivals

We’ve signed some exciting, young talent - Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke, who has gone back to Leeds on loan - what are your thoughts on the additions to the squad?
Mauricio: “The arrival of new players is always exciting and always brings new energy. New faces always motivate everyone. Tanguy, Giovani and Ryan, they are so young and they need time to adapt to a new club, a new philosophy. There is no pressure on them.”

3 - Aston Villa

Villa were promoted last season, they have signed a number of new players - what do you expect from them?
Mauricio: “It’s going to be tough, of course. They have invested, they are in a situation where they need to build a team and will need time, like all teams. They have very good players and it will be tough.”

4 - Playing at home

We are at home on the opening weekend of the season for the first time in your time here, and the first time since 2010/11. Will that make a difference?
Mauricio: “It doesn’t change. To start at home or away... you need to play 38 games in the Premier League, and you need to perform in every single game. Of course, to play at our new home from the start of the season is a big motivation for us and exciting for everyone to have the possibility to settle into our new stadium.”

5 - Ambitions for 2019/20

A simple question to end - what are your hopes for the season?
Mauricio: “The ambition is always to win and after almost tasting the glory and unbelievable nights in the Champions League, the aim is to try to win a trophy. Of course, it’s going to be tough. Every team has tried to improve and aims for the same as us and that’s why it’s another season with the same expectations - try to win every single game and at the end of the season, have the possibility to compete for big things.”