Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery
Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Unai Emery sat down with the media at the City Ground after Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
The hosts turned the game on its head late on by scoring in the 87th and 93rd minute following Jhon Duran's opener in the second half. Here is every word Emery said in his post-match press conference...
Unai, your thoughts on that?
"Disappointed, but we are in a process. We played the match that I had in my mind. We tried to play dominating and keeping possession. They are usually not going high press, man-to-man or even with more players. We were building up with the goalkeeper, centre-backs and midfielders. Until the minute 70 we did it (the game plan). We didn’t concede corners or chances.
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"After our goal they changed. They pushed more and added more players (attacking). In that moment you have to be consistent in the game plan. We were not that strong in the tactical idea and we started conceding attacks, corners and then a goal which VAR disallowed. We conceded two goals.
"For 70 minutes we played like we planned and the final 20 minutes we have to correct in our process. Every experience we are having now it is about learning and trying to use those corrections for the next games."
How could your team manage the game better?
"Keep ball possession and then try to score a second goal."
How do you explain what happened in the final 20 minutes?
"It is difficult for the players and we are in a process trying to get the structure we want. In the process we are in, we are not being very consistent but more or less we are keeping our level. They (Forest) are a rival now, and Fulham, Brentford and Bournemouth. In case we are with those teams fighting and playing against them, we are going to be in the top eight. We are not thinking about other teams."
It's now five games after Champions League matches where you haven’t managed to win…
"With this team we were thinking to win. A point was not bad. Here it is difficult. We scored the first goal and we thought we could. When they equalised we were thinking to be calm to play again like we did in the first 70 minutes. At the end we lost."
Is it nothing to do with Champions League games and what that takes out of you?
"It is different, completely different. It is another competition. Last year we played as well in the Conference League and got fourth. It is not an excuse.
"I told in the interview with the TV that I didn’t watch the penalty (Rogers incident), but after I watch it, it is a clear penalty. It is a mistake by VAR. It is a big mistake. This is clearly a penalty.
"I respect the referees and the VAR. We watched it after. Damian (Vidagany) showed me and it's a penalty. Clear penalty. Where is the VAR? OK it happens."
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