KOMPANY REFLECTS ON 'FANTASTIC YEAR'

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Clarets boss speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Villa

2023-12-29T14:57:35.545Z

KOMPANY REFLECTS ON 'FANTASTIC YEAR'

Clarets boss speaks to the media ahead of Saturday's trip to Villa

2023-12-29T14:57:35.545Z

KOMPANY LOOKS AHEAD TO FINAL GAME OF THE SEASON - Image 1

Manager Vincent Kompany described the overall year of 2023 as 'fantastic' when reflecting on the year as a whole in Friday's press conference ahead of Aston Villa but wants his side to 'go for more' in the new year.

The Clarets lifted the Sky Bet Championship title earlier this year with promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking, followed by an open-top bus parade around Burnley to celebrate the achievements and Kompany holds special memories of the last 12 months.

Speaking on Friday as the year draws to a close, the Burnley boss admitted it was 'nice to be reminded' about the progress over the previous year and wants his side to 'set the bar higher' in 2024.

Kompany said: "It's nice you mention that actually, sometimes you forget or don't think about things but that has reminded me just how good it's been.

"It's been a fantastic year for us really. Sharing moments with the fans, lifting trophies and not too long ago we had 60,000 supporters in the town for a parade.

"It's all been a part of our year and it's nice to actually reflect on that now. The important thing for us now is to keep on setting the bar high and going for more in the next year."

On the first half of the current Premier League season, Kompany explained: "I think it's fair to say it's been tough so far, I would have liked to have seen more points and I think the team deserved more points but that's how it goes.

"It feels like at this moment it's not enough but we are all very confident for the next 19 games and that lives within the Club. Ideally we have to be better than three teams and we are going to do everything we can to make sure of that."

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Kompany added: "For us it's about the game in both boxes now, I think it’s a solid 10 games where we have been in every game no matter the opposition home or away.

"We are looking to achieve consistently. I can only focus on our team and have a feeling where we have a run to win two or three games in a row."

As Kompany's side prepare for their final fixture of the calendar year, the Clarets chief had high praise for Villa, their 'clear structure' and Unai Emery's progress at Villa Park.

"When we played them earlier in the season, I felt straight away they were a strong team. There is a clear structure and they know what they want to do.

"Bought young players, who have now matured into proper Premier League players. (Ollie) Watkins, (Leon) Bailey and plenty of others have come in fairly young and turned into experienced players.

MATCH PREVIEW: ASTON VILLA V BURNLEY - Image 5

"Then there's a new manager with new ideas that suits the team and it's worked well for them. I think he’s (Emery) landed at a sleeping giant that is well funded, well supported and he must have done his research and arrived with his methods & ideas turned them into a machine."

Kompany added: "It's certainly a game we have to look forward to, going to Villa Park. We’re wanting this game but in the end these type of games for us it's important to seize our moments

"We had moments against Arsenal, Liverpool and we have to make sure we take our moments and that’s what we look out for this weekend."