Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was delighted with his players after seeing them secure a 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday.
Matty Cash put us ahead in the first half with an excellent strike at the back post, but a strong start to the second saw Arsenal draw level and threaten to turn the game around.
However, the reaction from Villa was brilliant from that point onwards as we battled back and recovered, and it was capped off with a sensational last kick of the game as Emiliano Buendia secured the win and sparked wild scenes of celebration in the Villa Park stands.
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It’s a win that continues to put distance between ourselves and the chasing pack for a Champions League qualification spot in the early part of the season, but it also moves us to within three points of league leaders Arsenal, as talk will no doubt continue to build over what we can achieve this season.
For Emery though, he is delighted with what he is seeing from his players in terms of character, desire and the mentality we’re playing with having now made it seven consecutive wins across all competitions, and five straight in the Premier League.
“So happy,” he told TNT Sports, as quoted by BBC Sport. “We finished this week really playing like we need to – competing, demanding ourselves, adapting to the opponent and playing with personality. Dominating sometimes and getting in the box, being intense and aggressive when we needed . Villa Park is special, the supporters transmit the energy to us. How they responded is fantastic.
“We are going to focus game by game. We know our only way is if we are trying to focus on each competition. Europa League we want to play well but Premier League is our first priority. We have to respond like we did it today.”
Villa will now regroup and prepare for a trip to Basel in the Europa League on Thursday before travelling to West Ham United next Sunday, and so while this is a sensational win and should be celebrated as such, the focus for the coaching staff and players will no doubt quickly switch to the challenges ahead to ensure we keep this momentum going.
Nevertheless, that’s now wins over the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal already this season as we’ve recovered incredibly after a dismal start to the campaign, and there is a sense that something special may well be brewing at the club this year if we can sustain this push.
“I’m so, so happy,” he later told VillaTV. “I’m very proud how our supporters enjoyed this match. We wanted to play thinking here at Villa Park to transmit our supporters our energy, our wishes, our style, idea; playing with energy, intensity, playing football like we played. And, as well, when we needed some help through the supporters, transmitting us their energy and support.
“We were sometimes struggling, or sometimes they were dominating, but we were always, more or less, feeling good. And, through it, during the match, when they drew level, we were again recovering our domination through our combination with the players, taking passes and getting into the box.
“I think we were close to scoring but, of course, when you are going, maybe they can as well get some transition and score a goal. But we were pushing and we were really, really believing in our victory. And we pushed until the last minute, and we got it.
“Yes, game by game, and enjoying each moment. Today we must be happy, the supporters, Aston Villa fans and ourselves because we did the job we needed.
“Of course, we got three points and we are, in the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world, more or less, now feeling strong and feeling comfortable. But this is a race for 38 matches and we are on 15.”
