Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was content with the result after our 0-0 draw at Ajax despite the fact that we were unable to produce our best football.
It was a cagey and scrappy encounter in Amsterdam in the first leg of our round-of-16 Europa Conference League tie, with the hosts edging it in terms of applying more pressure and controlling possession.
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In turn, a draw was a decent result from a Villa perspective with the second leg at home to come, and so it’s hoped that we can produce a much-improved performance the second time round against the Dutch giants.
With a lack of quality and rhythm to our play, we were unable to control the game in the way we would have liked, and so it led to an underwhelming night, albeit it leaves us in a good position to advance still.
Emery was keen to highlight the benefit of playing in that atmosphere in a tough away game in Europe which will hopefully be a crucial experience for the players, and despite the disappointment with the display, he was pleased with the result.
“It was a very tough match, very difficult,” Emery told VillaTV. “It’s always difficult playing in Europe, away as well. They have a great atmosphere here with their supporters and we competed.
“We didn’t play well, we didn’t control the game. But, of course, it’s a very good result.
“We were planning this match, thinking to play today 90 minutes, but, of course, we knew before it was very difficult to get a result here and take advantage.
“Here they are feeling strong, comfortable and confident to play trying to do something with their supporters.
“And now it’s Villa Park, 90 minutes at Villa Park, of course we have to be ready as well in case of extra-time or a penalty shoot-out because it’s always difficult in Europe.
“Here Ajax, today they showed us their wishes to win, their desire, their commitment to play everybody, very intense, and we’ve faced them today knowing them as well.
“And, of course, knowing and taking experiences of how difficult it is to play in Europe.”
Particularly with the likes of Morgan Rogers and Tim Iroegbunam starting and others who are lacking in European experience getting minutes against a prestigious club in a difficult atmosphere, it would have been important step in their progression and development.
We’ll hopefully be able to use that to our advantage if we advance this year, but looking at the bigger picture, even though winning silverware is the more immediate aim, it will prove to be a very useful experience for them to cope with that in the future.
For now though, focus switches to Tottenham on Sunday as we look to cement our place in the top four of the Premier League table, before trying to get the better of Ajax at home in what could be a tense encounter.
