**Unai Emery**expressed his thoughts on a 2-0 defeat for Aston Villa at Anfield.
Reigning champions **Liverpool**were low on confidence after four straight **Premier League**losses, and the Villans sensed blood, striking the post with shots from Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash.
However, the Reds responded on the stroke of half time as **Mo Salah**profited from a misplaced pass from Emiliano Martinez. He gave the lead to **Liverpool**with his 250th goal, and Ryan Gravenberch doubled the advantage with a deflected strike in the second half as Villa struggled to regain rhythm.
“I am happy with how we competed and how we started the match in the first 30 minutes, playing with personality, dominating and getting chances to score.
“We were stopping them and breaking their high press and we were feeling comfortable. In the final 15 minutes we conceded metres on the field. They were pushing more, and we were defending slow.
“Through it, they scored one goal that was offside, and we were defending well. We made a mistake for the first goal when we were finishing the half and it was important to try and keep it 0-0.
“After it, we needed to react in the second half, playing the same way we played the first half. We didn’t start the second half like we started the first half and then we were close to changing something with our energy before they scored the second goal.
“After it, we reacted keeping the same gameplan we had, but it was difficult to come back the result.
“How we competed and how we were trying to be in the game again, I am happy for it. The result was not good and we are disappointed with it, but not with how we are building our structure and how we are getting players minutes and confidence to help us during the season.
“Now we focus on the next match against Maccabi in the Europa League and try to separate this competition, trying to compete with the demands that we have.
*“Then there’s the next step against Bournemouth in the Premier League,, a very motivating match and a challenge we have. How we got points against Tottenham and Manchester City gave us confidence to continue improving through our demands to get balance in the table.*
“I’m thankful for the supporters because they came here to support us and to help us. We didn’t achieve a good result, but we’re thankful how they are travelling to every match to be with us.”