Emery content material with Aston Villa efficiency after enormous win at Lille
The Spaniard believes there’s nonetheless room for enchancment forward of the second leg
Aston Villa supervisor Unai Emery praised his staff’s disciplined method after a 1-0 win over Lille within the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The end result, secured by a second-half header from Ollie Watkins, marked Emery’s one hundredth win answerable for Villa and supplied a well timed increase following a troublesome run of home outcomes.
Villa needed to take up strain for lengthy intervals on the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, notably in the direction of the top of the primary half. The profitable second arrived shortly after the hour mark when Ezri Konsa launched a excessive ball ahead which was flicked on by Emiliano Buendia. Watkins then confirmed composure to loop a header over Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer for his first purpose in eight matches.
Talking after the match, Emery mentioned the efficiency mirrored the disciplined mentality he had demanded from his aspect.
“We performed very significantly,” Emery mentioned.
“We had been all the time organised and we performed attempting to defend strongly, attempting to really feel comfy defending as nicely, and attempting to get some transition with the ball and to dominate with the ball – and we did it.
“We respect this competitors as a result of we all know the difficulties of every match in Europe, away, and the way it’s for the English groups, like yesterday within the Champions League, how they had been struggling.”
Villa’s attacking intent
Though Villa didn’t create a lot of alternatives, Emery was glad with the standard of the probabilities his staff managed to provide.
“We didn’t create loads of possibilities, however some clear possibilities to attain.
“I’m pleased with how the gamers responded to the sport plan we did and the way we’re respecting and understanding the difficulties we will have, in case we’re not enjoying significantly.
“After it, we’d like their abilities and the capability to do one thing, including for the staff individually or collectively, and we should add numbers from the gamers, like as we speak with Watkins.
“We have to add numbers with Morgan (Rogers), with (Jadon) Sancho, with Leon Bailey, with (Emiliano) Buendia, with the midfielders.
“I’m completely happy, however we all know within the dressing room that it’s the first leg.
“This end result, 1-0, is sweet however we’re going to play one other 90 minutes, respecting them like we did as we speak to play with this end result.”
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