Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was pleased with his side despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Villa took the lead in the first half at the City Ground after Murillo found the back of his own net from a dangerous cross from Morgan Rogers into the Forest box.
However, Villa were unable to build on that advantage, but despite Neco Williams finding an equaliser for the hosts, we certainly had the chances to come away from the game with all three points but failed to convert with Rogers and Ollie Watkins guilty of missing big opportunities after the interval.
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It’s a result that edges us a little closer to securing a top-five finish in the Premier League, which in turn seals qualification for the Champions League, but there will surely be a level of regret that it wasn’t more.
Speaking to the media after the game, Emery remained positive about our performance and growing confidence in particular, as the Villa boss is seemingly seeing good signs in our recent displays.
He conceded that we did indeed have chances to score though and perhaps should have done better, and so it’s hoped now that we don’t rue those in the coming weeks as we look to fend off the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
“I am happy with how we played, how we competed and followed the game plan,” he said, as quoted by BBC Sport. “The players feel confidence and comfortable. How we managed the match in 90 minutes like we planned.
“The first half was equal but we dominated and had good chances to score. I am so proud of how the players did. Of course we had three or four chances to score, and we conceded the momentum to them a few times. One point is not enough, but this is the way we want to play in the next weeks in the Premier League and Europa League.
“I like when we are creating chances and dominating and having good possession. Of course if we are scoring it is better. But we are getting better again, the last three or four matches. We must be so demanding and consistent to keep it for the next matches.
“Three months we were fantastic, then we struggled, now we are recovering. It’s important for the players to have momentum. Today, how we kept the level of the last matches, is the most relevant for our confidence.”
Meanwhile, Emery was also asked about Emiliano Martinez after he was forced to pull out of the game during the warm-up, and the Villa boss confirmed that it was a calf issue that once again forced the Argentine goalkeeper to sit out.
“He was feeling something in his calf and was not feeling comfortable to play,” he added.