Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was as gracious and classy as ever despite the frustration over our 1-1 draw with Sheffield Utd on Friday night.
Cameron Archer’s 87th minute goal looked set to punish us after being unable to make our 78 percent possession count by adding a decisive end product.
READ MORE: Villa player ratings vs Sheffield Utd: Zaniolo salvages point in frustrating draw
Fortunately, Nicolo Zaniolo came off the bench to score an equaliser deep in added time to rescue a point, but it was certainly a frustrating and disappointing night at Villa Park as we were unable to make the most of our control and domination through the encounter.
Emery though remained calm and pragmatic in his post-match interview, as the Villa boss reiterated that he was still happy with our recent run of 16 consecutive home league wins, and although he felt as though we deserved more, he was pleased with his players and wouldn’t be drawn on criticising VAR, albeit he did feel that it was overused in this game.
“I watched a good game, of course two teams trying to play. But it was not dramatic and with incident,” he told Sky Sports, as seen in the video below. “We have been on a run and we know things can change and today it did, but I am very happy with the players. I have to accept the draw and I am very, very happy.
“Yes we deserved more than one point. We controlled the game in the first half like we were preparing. They were defending really well. But in 90 minutes we only lost control after VAR refused our goal. We were absent for the minutes afterwards and conceded.”
On Villa’s disallowed goal: “It was not the correct decision but I always accept the VAR.
“I think today VAR was too much. Not necessary to review as much as they reviewed. And for the goal is was a second action. We recovered the ball and then we score. It was not necessary to review this.
“For me I accept VAR, but it’s not necessary always.”
Not only did Villa have multiple penalty claims rejected by VAR, but Leon Bailey thought he had put us ahead in the second half, only for the goal to be chalked off for a foul in the build-up.
It was arguably a second phase by the time Ollie Watkins had won possession back high up the pitch and provided the assist for Bailey to apply the finish, and yet the officials decided that it shouldn’t count.
Despite all that talk though, Emery remained upbeat and positive about his players and their application, and it’s hoped that we can bounce back from this disappointment next Tuesday when we head to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Boxing Day.
As he noted below though, it must serve as an important lesson and experience for Villa moving forward though, as the Spanish tactician consistently reiterates the importance of our control and structure in games.
More teams will come to Villa Park and play like this to frustrate us and create mistakes on our part, and it’s crucial we learn to adapt and stay calm even when it feels as though things are perhaps going against us.
Emery added: “I am very happy and very proud of the players. It was very difficult to keep our winning record. They defended really well,” as per BBC Sport. “We played well for the first 70 minutes and after they refused our goal we were upset and we lost control. They scored their goal and in the end we drew, it was fantastic to get a draw today.
“I accept VAR always. But only today I think it was too much. It was not necessary to review two or three times in the first half. And the goal, it was not necessary. Normally we can accept this goal.
“We are disappointed with the result today but we are accepting it. We have to focus for the next match against Manchester United, it will be incredible.”
"I am very, very happy" 👍'I always accept VAR!' 📺
Unai Emery remaining upbeat despite Aston Villa drawing to Sheffield United 💭 pic.twitter.com/2c1raDlhsN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 22, 2023
