2026-03-13 11:44:32
Unai Emery was happy with Aston Villa’s “serious” performance against Lille in the Europa League.
Villa secured a 1-0 away win in the first leg of their last 16 tie on Thursday (12.03.26) thanks to Ollie Watkins’ header and the coach was impressed with his team’s attitude as they became the only Premier League side to win on the continent this week.
Emery told VillaTV: “We played very seriously.
“We were always organised and we played trying to defend strongly, trying to feel comfortable defending as well, and trying to get some transition with the ball and to dominate with the ball – and we did it.
“We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match in Europe, away, and how it is for the English teams, like yesterday in the Champions League, how they were struggling.”
The Spanish coach continued: “We didn’t create a lot of chances, but some clear chances to score.
“I am happy with how the players responded to the game plan we did and how we are respecting and understanding the difficulties we can have, in case we are not playing seriously.
“After it, we need their skills and the capacity to do something, adding for the team individually or collectively, and we must add numbers from the players, like today with Watkins.
“We need to add numbers with Morgan (Rogers), with (Jadon) Sancho, with Leon Bailey, with (Emiliano) Buendia, with the midfielders.
“I am happy, but we know in the dressing room that it is the first leg.
“This result, 1-0, is good but we are going to play another 90 minutes, respecting them like we did today to play with this result.”
Villa defender Ezri Konsa urged the team to finish the tie off in next week’s home leg.
He told the UEFA website: “That was a victory we really needed.
“It hasn’t been going too well for us the last couple of months but we showed what we are all about today.
“We got the goal and got the win but we are not going to get too comfortable.
“We have to focus on next week now and finishing the job.”
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