Unai Emery defends Aston Villa scapegoat after Brighton defeat

Unai Emery commended stand-in goalkeeper  Robin Olsen’s performance in the 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion, asserting he’s never doubted the Swede despite previous mistakes.

Emiliano Martínez was hoped to be fit after a minor hamstring injury but the trip to the American Express Stadium came too soon. Second-choice Olsen has often buckled under the pressure and he’s become a scapegoat figure at times but he stepped up on Sunday afternoon.

Brighton could have easily won by a considerable margin had it not been for Olsen between the sticks. The Villa number 13 made two vital stops to deny Simon Adingra in the opening eight minutes, stopped the Ivorian’s two second half efforts and smothered Pascal Gross’ attempt to round him.

Olsen also made an impressive diving save to keep out a Joao Pedro penalty. It was a great shame the rebound fell to the Brazilian to score the winner as Villa’s glovesman did very little wrong all game. Emery wanted to recognise that in the post-match press conference.

“Brilliant, brilliant,” Villa’s head coach said of Olsen. “He played last week against Chelsea in the first half when we were struggling and we conceded two goals. Even then he saved one point.

“On Thursday we lost and conceded goals, but we had no doubts about him. Today he showed us again. He played fantastic. We were close to drawing because he played fantastic,” Emery continued.

Martinez is expected back for Villa’s crucial second leg semi-final clash at Olympiacos on Thursday but supporters shouldn’t fear if it’s Olsen, Emery believes. The confidence is certainly there in the understudy. Once the mistakes are ironed out, there’s a cracking goalkeeper in there.