Javier Aguirre backs Valencia youth: “They’ll play when it’s their turn”

Valencia coach Javier Aguirre addressed criticism over his use of academy players, insisting that “youth players will play when it’s their turn.” In the build-up to Valencia-Villarreal, the Mexican said he has “debuted close to thirty or thirty-five players” and added: “I played a World Cup with a 17-year-old.” Aguirre stressed that first-team chances depend on performance and the team’s needs, with the club in a delicate classification situation.

What he expects vs Villarreal

Aguirre wants his side to attack the game from the first minute, pressing high, stealing the ball on Villarreal’s build-up and improving in individual duels, while also correcting defensive issues. He noted that recent matches have produced more chances than the opponents but the goals and points haven’t followed: “we could have scored three or four.”

He also gave an update on fitness. Copete and Foulquier are “around 90%,” and could be ready “next week, or maybe even this week,” while Sadiq is “a little behind,” though “we’ll have him soon.” For Aguirre, it matters less who scores and more that Valencia win, with the “injury room” largely easing off, though Sergi Canós and Diego López are still recovering.