Aston Villa manager Unai Emery sat down with the media following the defeat to Brentford on Saturday
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa
Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
Unai Emery spoke with the press after Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Dango Ouattara scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute as Villa struggled to threaten their hosts throughout. Here is every word Emery said in his post-match press conference...
Unai, your thoughts on the defeat?
"We lost the match today because the first 20 minutes we weren't really performing and playing with the intensity we needed. We reacted after conceding, dominated and created chances. They defended our corners and had transitions. We avoided their attacks in transition and we dominated.
"This is a very good example about how football is. Conceding the first goal, it is very hard to come back. We have to move on and continue working, trying to change some circumstances we have.
"We need to clarify some circumstances we have next week and try to get our structure stronger again. Last year we needed time to get it. We competed well against Newcastle and had a red card. We accepted it.
"Today we competed, but it was not enough. We conceded some moments on the field that we need to avoid. Finishing the transfer window next week we are going to clarify everything. My message is to stay calm, move on and do the work we are doing, also be strong in our mentality."
Were you worried about the lack of intensity?
"I was frustrated because we started losing some easy balls and we didn’t get defensive duels that we normally do. Of course, this is something we have to avoid in the next weeks."
Did Kamara come off injured and what was the problem?
"Yes, I don’t know exactly what injury he has. He got injured."
John McGinn played on right - a word on your options in that position?
"We have some circumstances now that we are trying to work. We finished the window next week and John McGinn performed as a right winger. His characteristic is not getting individual action man to man, but he can open space for the full-back.
"He can get passes forward to teammates. We are building a team to get strong and help our players get their best position in our structure."
How did Konsa’s suspension impact the structure?
“Of course, he’s important but we have experiences here with the players we have. Tyrone Mings was one year and a half out of the team. Last year, Pau was two months out of the team. Konsa usually is being consistent, not getting injured.
“We have to be ready to play with the centre-backs we have. We have to perform with the players we have. I think it’s enough players to get enough performances for this season.
“But this week is the last week for the transfer window and of course, we have some circumstances that are not helping us.”
What was missing for you today?
“We played here before three matches against Brentford and it was the same match we played (today). We drew three years ago, we scored and drew in the last minute with Douglas Luiz after losing 1-0. In that match was more or less the same as today, but we didn’t score and didn’t draw.
“We were creating some opportunities. Maybe not clear chances as they were defending so, so low but we had enough chances to score one goal and to draw.
“But the key was conceding the first goal. Because last year, we won 1-0. That match was maybe more difficult than the one we played today. Two years ago, we won as well in a very difficult match.
“More or less, we were expecting it. I am disappointed that we conceded one goal because we weren’t really with the intensity I think we need normally to play matches like we are playing. But we have to accept it. We are in day two.
“We have to improve things, we have to clarify some things in the transfer window in the next week. We have enough players but we need to clarify some circumstances with some players whether they are staying or not, and the possibility of adding someone to help us."
Are you concerned about the start of matches?
“Today, after we conceded the goal, the players responded, reacted, they tried. The first 20 minutes I am a little bit disappointed.
“They are different matches. Last week was at home, was Newcastle. This week was away, Brentford. As well with these circumstances.
“Of course, to lose here is hard for us. But it happened and in my expectation it was, in case we weren’t performing in the match, in some moments not being clinical or getting corners, offensively, crosses, getting some chances to score. We were conceding and we lost like we did.
“The message before the match was to keep the clean sheet - the first message - and then to try and win the match. We didn’t keep the clean sheet and we didn’t score the goal. Of course, we lost.”
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