In this video
“I am so so happy today.”
- A step forward collectively and tactically after Brighton, Arsenal and Hull City, resilient when the second half became a struggle, and the substitutes recovered control. Three points to start the Champions League, with a league game Saturday and a Carabao Cup tie before the break.
- The day before, Emery was demanding goals even in a small-sided training match. Villa started fast, ran in behind more than at Hull City, and John McGinn's very important opener was exactly what he had asked for.
- Keep working, keep adapting: a striker who likes to drop needs runners beyond him, and Emery has been pushing him to be the last man running in behind. The first goal, he says, is very important for him, and he praises the runners who are helping.
- Tired players were flagged at half-time, Wan-Bissaka among them after his first start in a long time. When Emery called for the changes the replacements were caught up in set pieces and individual issues; he needed quick impact, and says they gave it once on.
Aston Villa are back where they belong in the Champions League as Unai Emery reacts to a huge Aston Villa win in Europe.
In this Unai Emery reaction, the Villa boss says he is “so, so happy” after seeing his side take an important step forward collectively, tactically and mentally to start their Aston Villa Champions League campaign with three points.
Emery praises the responsibility shown by experienced players such as John McGinn, who opened the scoring, while Nicolas Jackson also grabbed an important first goal for Aston Villa.
The Villa manager explains how the team is gradually improving, how the new players are adapting to his structure, and why the experienced members of the squad must continue setting the standards.
Emery also hopes the victory can give Aston Villa confidence heading back into the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest next before further domestic fixtures against Tottenham and in the Carabao Cup.
Can this Aston Villa Champions League win be the moment that kick-starts their season?
