‘Let’s have a go... that’s the motto I want’ - Hurst wants positive Villa display

Paul Hurst wants to put on a positive display against Aston Villa. Picture: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

The new Blues boss is still looking for his first win as Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa arrive at Portman Road tomorrow, with the hosts looking to bounce back following Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup humbling at the hands of League Two Exeter.

But while Hurst’s start to life in Suffolk has been far from ideal, taking just one point from two league games and exiting the cup early, the Ipswich manager will not change his principles and wants to put on a positive display against a side who have won each of their first three games.

“If it doesn’t work out I’d rather we gave it a go doing it the way I wanted to do it, rather than be careful and dipping my toe in,” he said.

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“Let’s have a go. That’s the motto I want for the players.

“I want that on Saturday. We know we’re up against a good team, but I’m not going to suddenly change and go ‘right, let’s get everyone behind the ball and no-one does anything or moves out of position’ and we’re thinking ‘let’s just keep Villa out and hope we get a lucky goal’.

“We’re going to try and be positive. There might be things that are a little bit different from what you’ve seen before, but overall a lot of the principles will remain the same.

“I want to get the crowd involved, as we’ve spoken about. Everyone said after the opening day that the atmosphere was much better than it has been in recent times. I want that again and, if we can, get it even better.

“They are a big part of the football club, fans. We’re playing at home. If we don’t give them anything to shout about, or at least try, then there’s no point playing at home.”

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Hurst knows Villa will enter the Championship game as favourites in the eyes of many and, while he admitted there will be some nerves, is excited for what he expects to be a big occasion.

“For each game we go into there are only three points at stake, no more, no less if it’s Aston Villa or Rotherham,” the Ipswich manager said.

“But these are the ones you look forward to although there will naturally be a little bit of apprehension.

“We want to play the best teams and there’s no better feeling than coming out with a result against a team who were probably favourites going into it.”