Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was delighted with his side’s performance as we secured a 2-0 win over Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
Goals from Emi Buendia and Douglas Luiz ensured we returned home with all three points, after what was a spirited and determined performance to outplay the hosts.
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Spurs were certainly nowhere near their best, but Villa did an excellent job of adding to their frustration by containing them, and we eventually added quality to our play in the final third to score twice and show more ruthlessness in front of goal.
It’s a superb win as we look to now build on that and continue to climb the Premier League table, and having made it back-to-back wins away from home, Emery was unsurprisingly delighted with what he saw on Sunday as we bounced back well following defeat to Liverpool last time out.
“We are so happy. I think we competed very well. We struggled in the first half but they didn’t create many chances,” he told Sky Sports, as per BBC Sport. “We scored one goal which gave us confidence to move ahead in our mentality. We scored the second goal which was amazing because in that moment we thought the three points were for us.
“Not only mentality, you have to defend away usually more than at home. We have to build a team thinking that we can control the game. Defensively we were strong and together. We can be brilliant and then keep possession when we have chances to try to win the match. To try to improve different things tactically, I will do it.
“Spurs had some chances, not a lot but they created in the attacking third. Olsen as well after the performance with his clean sheet. Not just in Emi Martinez but also with Olsen we have good goalkeepers. It is good to add confidence in the team and the players.”
There was a real sense of frustration after the defeat to Liverpool on Boxing Day, as it was felt we played well but simply weren’t good enough at both ends of the pitch to get something from the game.
Evidently, that was something that was focused on and worked upon during the week, as Villa defended resolutely throughout and showed a clinical edge in front of goal in north London in the second half as we created more clear-cut chances.
As we continue to see clear signs of the style of play and foundations that Emery wants to put in place at Villa, it’s hoped we continue to progress and evolve as the positivity is building ahead of a more favourable fixture schedule.
Having come through some difficult tests either side of the World Cup break, Villa now have an opportunity to build more momentum and move in the right direction, and there are no doubt plenty more positives to take from this performance but certainly room for improvement too.