Every word Unai Emery said after Bournemouth draw as Aston Villa boss makes January transfer point
Unai Emery sat down with the media at Villa Park after Aston Villa's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Ross Barkley broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, before Bournemouth's Evanilson equalised in the sixth minute of added time. Here's every word Emery said in his post-match press conference...
Unai, your thoughts on the draw?
"We played a fantastic game and we are very demanding and increasing our level. Our mentality is to be in the top seven in the table and to get it is this through a lot of points to try to get and try and achieve in our way. We deserved to win we dominated and imposed.
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"In our process here we are being demanding to win clearly and we are frustrated in case we aren’t winning. If I want to play again this match the plan would be the same, how we played we played would be the same. We controlled the game for 30 minutes perfectly and we didn’t concede a lot in the first half.
"They were having some corners and we accepted 0-0 in the first half but we were in the way we wanted second half we started to get better and then we scored. After that the match was changing, they were playing with fresh players and they were trying to push and get in our box. We needed our defence focusing and being strong.
"They scored and we were frustrated because we deserved to win but there’s still work to do because we’re trying to get a strong mentality. Emotionally when you are 1-0 in the last minute and you think the three points are very important, we didn’t control it and we have to learn, the players have to learn."
How should you have controlled the game better?
"This is analysis I have to do deeply, but at the beginning we know we should score the second goal, but especially Bournemouth. Maybe the control is trying to avoid the players and have the second ball and try and score the second goal, that’s the best way. They are very competitive. We avoided their game plan, but in 90 minutes they can get it. The first half for 10 minutes and at the end of the game too."
Are you concerned about the amount of yellow cards your team picked up?
"We are trying to play and not concede a lot of yellow cards but a team like Bournemouth, they do a lot of duels, a lot of contact We had a a lot of yellow cards and they had yellow cards. When I changed Onana, one reason was because of it."
How good was Bournemouth goalkeeper Travers?
"He was fantastic for them, he saved them clearly."
How difficult is it to maintain you level after a Champions League game?
"No, I think we played fantastic. We drew against Manchester United and played a fantastic game as well, it’s not a consequence. Maybe we did some changes and maybe Morgan [Rogers] playing a lot of matches in a row, but it’s normal. Even no Champions League football you can feel tired. Overall the players and the team played well and played with the mentality we want, but we didn’t achieve the win."
Do you think you were unfortunate for the disallowed John McGinn goal?
“Today, the referee was fantastic. He did a fantastic job. VAR is refusing the goal because it was out, it was very tight, but I accept it completely and the referee was right.
“The handball of Leon Bailey is not a penalty but it’s not relevant, yes he touched the ball with his hand but the ball was going to the corner of the box, it’s not the position deserving a penalty.
“And the penalty of Cash on Semenyo, the referee watched it perfectly and the VAR confirmed it. I think he did a fantastic job.”
There was a similar case in Arsenal v Newcastle…
“Yes, sometimes it can be tight, maybe goal, maybe no goal. But I accept it completely because I believe in VAR.”
What do you hope to achieve in the next two years?
“We are being demanding in our increases, in our way to try to get better, trying to be competitive in the top level. Today, we had the opportunity to get three points, to be third, to be in the top four, but we got only one. Of course, there are other teams strong - Liverpool, City and Arsenal. There are other teams like Brighton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle, Manchester United and even Fulham.
“We have to be demanding, we have to try to understand how we want to get the level we are playing, keeping it. This is very demanding our way, very demanding for myself in how I take my decisions in everything, and how the players respond tactically and emotionally with our mentality.
“Today, I am disappointed a little bit because there’s still work to do. One is emotionally, we have to try to control ourselves in the moments that are a bit more difficult - when we are at 1-0, when the opponent is pushing - you have to try to get the balance and be strong in our mind to keep the same focus, the same demands, the game plan and the strategy, the set pieces.
“But I am really happy with the team and the players, I know sometimes we can have some moments like that. We had very good moments and a very good match but the result was not deserved. And why? Because we have to get better even playing well, sometimes it’s not enough.”
Should Villa fans accept you might need to rotate sometimes away from the best XI?
“OK. My objective is to play with the best players and my objective is to build a team. To build a team, I need players, and if I’m not given them opportunities to play I am not confident with them.
"Of course, we started in August and September with the same players but we were struggling a little bit as we didn’t have players available. Now we have and this is the moment I can be confident with Lucas, Maatsen, Ross Barkley, Tielemans…
“We are adding players, of course there are some players not playing but I am confident they can help us. But we have to play getting our high level with the team we are facing in the Champions League and Premier League with the players in the same way. We are going to analyse deeply. After two months, again it is the transfer window. In case we are perfect like that or we need something, to change something.”