Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was left content with a point after our 1-1 draw at West Ham Utd on Sunday, and praised goalscorer Nicolo Zaniolo.
The hosts took the lead in the first half despite the fact that we made a bright start to the game, and although we had two big scares at both the start and end of the second half with VAR disallowing two goals, we improved after the break.
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Zaniolo eventually drew us level in the 79th minute, and it was Emery’s half-time changes that proved to be decisive with the Italian playmaker coming off the bench to score, while fellow substitute, Moussa Diaby, provided the assist.
Further, at the other end of the pitch, Matty Cash produced an important block at 1-1, and so the Villa boss conceded that we didn’t play the way he wanted us to in the opening 45 minutes, but given the way the encounter played out, he was pleased with a draw which gives us a boost in the battle for a top-four finish.
“Good afternoon. We didn’t control the game in the first half,” he told BBC Sport. “We were not progressing to impose our position. When they are connecting with their attacking players, they scored one goal. We changed tactics in the second half and we got chances to score a goal and in the end we did score. The second half, we deserve it more than the first half. The referee decided it was handball.
“We had a plan before the match and the plan can change. The players had to be ready and focussed in case we needed them like today. Zaniolo is working and he is focussed.
“In this Premier League level it is difficult because the set piece takers are good. It is important to not concede set pieces. Overall, I think tactically in the second half we dominated and imposed our position.
“It’s better to win but we draw and I think it’s good and we have to accept it.”
Time will tell what Emery goes with vs Wolves after the international break, as there were arguably a few selection decisions that he might want back, albeit he of course has his specific game-plans and more often than not gets it right.
However, whether it’s playing Matty Cash and moving Ezri Konsa into the centre-half role, Tim Iroegbunam in the deeper midfield position to allow Youri Tielemans to play in a more advanced area or not going with two up top and starting Jhon Duran alongside Ollie Watkins, we undoubtedly improved in the second half through a better balance with a more familiar set-up.
Nevertheless, it’s a good point and a positive few days for us after the win over Ajax, and it’s hoped we can recharge and regroup during the break, ready to attack the business end of the campaign and achieve our objectives.