Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has called on his players to better control their emotions after our 4-0 defeat to Tottenham, and has called for a positive reaction to the setback.
After a cagey and tentative first half from Villa, we found ourselves 2-0 down in a matter of minutes after the break before John McGinn was given a straight red card.
READ MORE: Villa player ratings vs Tottenham: McGinn sees red in heavy defeat
While Tottenham added two more late goals to wrap up their convincing win, it was a bitterly disappointing performance and outcome from a Villa perspective, particularly given the importance of the encounter in the battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League this season.
Question marks will perhaps be raised over Emery’s initial game plan as we looked to be set up more defensively than normal with a back five and that saw us go on the back foot in the early stages rather than be positive.
Further, while McGinn was looking to add intensity and urgency to our play which was lacking from others, the mentality was the correct one from the Villa captain but ultimately it was actioned in the wrong way.
“We competed very well in the first half, there weren’t very many chances from them,” Emery told Sky Sports, as per BBC Sport. “We weren’t clinical because they were defending very well and we didn’t control the game. The match was controlled more or less in the plan we prepared.
“In the second half, the first two goals were crazy. After the red card it was more difficult to get a result.
“We have to control our emotions, even when we are losing 2-0. We have a responsibility to be mature. We are still fourth in the table but of course we have to accept to lose. Today we weren’t clinical and we weren’t better than the opponent. Then we lost control of our emotions and the red card was dissapointing for me.
“Of course John McGinn is always very, very important. He wishes to compete after the second goal.
“Then the match was difficult to come back. They score two goals. Still, there is two points difference but they have one match in hand. Of course we have to move on.
“Now we are thinking of Thursday. We have a very good match against Ajax, that is our focus.”
The Villa boss added to Match of the Day:
“We have to accept that we were facing a Tottenham who are contenders to finish in the top four like us. We have to be consistent, we needed more. Of course we are still fourth but today we lost a very good opportunity.
“We have to accept and react quick. We have to try to correct and analyse the match. Today we are disappointed with the result, but we are accepting it.
“We are focusing on the match on Thursday, again we will need our supporters here at Villa Park.
“We played very well in the first half, we controlled the game and didn’t concede chances. We were very good in the transition but we weren’t clinical.
“Of course we conceded two goals and it was very difficult. After the red card it was more difficult even. I think John McGinn is always playing with passion. It’s his second red card I think in 600 matches. I think he’s always honest and very competitive. His intention is not bad.
“We are going to move on. Move on to Thursday and next Sunday.”
The fundamental part of those comments moving forward now is that we do indeed have to produce a positive reaction, starting against Ajax on Thursday.
There is still so much to play for in our season given our position in the Premier League table and in Europe, and while this is undoubtedly a massive setback, it has to be a catalyst for us to find solutions and put another crucial run together.
Naturally, there is still a lot to learn for this team when in these high-pressure situations and occasions, and both our defensive solidity and discipline need to be addressed in the coming weeks to ensure we get back on track and show more consistency again.
Unai Emery does not help improve positive psychology of our players. He talks up clubs up such as “Tottenham,Chelsea,Newcastle,Man Utd ..they’re all contenders we are not”.
How about “we are where we are for a reason and intend to stay there”.
“Away from home is very difficult with their fans it is always hard”
How about “when we play away we always feel confident with our supporters and if our players play their best we are all Confident we will get a positive result”
Emery has done very well, but winning managers use psychology to increase the chances.
Most of us now see history repeating itself, no plan B, botttling when the pressure is on like Shef Utd at home the chance to go top, Man U twice a chance to create an impregnable points gap, now Tottenham. Throwing a European competition to guarantee a championship league place under Martin O’Neil only to achieve neither. We lacked a few characters/leadership so once belief in our objectives was shaken we bottled it. How did Unai do in Spain challenging for the Champions league? I would be interested in knowing if they ever got close and if so did they tail away at the end.
Our players must get together when we conceded a goal and show collective determination. They all stand isolated shrugging shoulders or heads hung down. They need to show togetherness in adversity on the pitch. Off it tomorrow there needs to be a rallying call. “We’re written off and have only ourselves to blame. But we can put that right as a team and individually” i.e show Ron Saunders mentality. Then give individuals targets for each game. Equally Unai and his coaching staff, look back at there previous club and see any patterns with seasons and resuktd then address these by looking how they approached them and if it didn’t work and they are using the same approach, target a new approach(I am on about psychology as much as anything).
It hurts today,but is not irretrievable. If individually, and as a team the coaching staff and squad get the mentality right, there is still a trophy and Championship League on offer, international call ups, a platform for moving to top notch clubs or putting our club in thr top notch. Such chances are not always there. We all believe in Unai Emery, the coaching staff and players do now need to show a collective siege mentality and foster that belief to our supporters because win the next three games and that belief will be a tidal wave which is better than a whirlpool.