Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was delighted with the way his side competed as we salvaged a point in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz either side of half-time saw the Gunners take a commanding 2-0 lead, but Villa soon struck back as Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins earned us a share of the spoils.
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Villa had to defend for significant periods in the game as although we were disciplined and resolute, we also leaned towards being too passive and lacking intensity on and off the ball, and that was where it felt like we were perhaps asking for trouble.
It still feels as though that is an area in which we must improve as inviting pressure on doesn’t tend to lead to positive things happening in our favour, but the results in recent weeks speak for themselves and so clearly it’s part of what makes us effective.
We showed enough at both ends of the pitch to secure a point in this encounter, and Emery was particularly pleased with the way we competed and our reaction after going two down to show the battling mentality needed to get a result in difficult circumstances.
“We competed well,” he said after the game, as quoted by BBC Sport. “To get something here is very difficult. To compete like we did is the only way. They were controling and pushing more [earlier on]. We had to defend strongly.
“The second half we reacted well. The mentality we showed is the mentality we want. We needed the goalkeeper, the defenders. We were always trying some transitions. Fantastic job. Now we are in good balance. We are fighting with really strong teams. How we started the second part of the season has been good.
“[We thought] scoring one goal could open the match for us and it did.
“Fantastic. Brilliant how the players reacted after the two goals – it was fantastic. In our mentality, we never give up and today we never give up and we tried to score. Arsenal were pushing and creating some chances, but even with that we have another.
“Arsenal are very powerful at home. This is the level we want to be close to, but we still have work to do as they’re very strong. To complete like we did is the only way to get something here.”
The Villa boss went on to discuss his half-time decision to replace Ian Maatsen with Lucas Digne, as after the Dutchman picked up a booking in the first half and struggled up against Martinelli, it proved to be a crucial decision as we were more effective in limiting their threat down that side.
As did the choice to bring on Lamare Bogarde for the injured Amadou Onana in the first half, and so credit must go to the Basque coach once again for his in-game management and ability to make changes that have a positive impact on proceedings.
“He [Lucas Digne] played fantastic,” Emery added. “Maatsen played fantastic in the first half. Of course, today Martinelli was difficult for Ian Maatsen and for Lucas Digne, but both did a fantastic job. Never give up. In that moment, in the mind, that was it.”
