‘We are excited’ - Unai Emery shares controversial Aston Villa opinion after defeat at Wolves

Unai Emery believes Aston Villa performed better against Wolves and Manchester United than they did in some of their wins previously, despite losing and failing to score in both fixtures. It was a frustrating watch for the traveling supporters at Molineux as Villa suffered a second successive 1-0 defeat on the road.

Toti Gomes’ ninth-minute bullet header was enough to secure all three points for Wolves on the day as Julen Lopetegui’s side all but secured their Premier League status for another season. Villa, meanwhile, suffered a huge blow to their European hopes - especially as Tottenham Hotspur won their game against Crystal Palace.

The early goal certainly shook the Villans at Molineux but much of the possession and chances were with the away side from that point on. Tyrone Mings missed a huge opportunity in the second half as he blazed over from close range, whereas Ollie Watkins had a few openings in both periods but failed to convert. Emery is proud of his team’s performance.

“Manchester United last week and today [against Wolves], I think we played maybe better than some matches we won,” Emery said in the post-match press conference. “Sometimes we have to be clinical and we have to improve. Maybe as well, we have to be more competitive in some moments in the game. Overall [though], the game plan we did like we were preparing before.

“I think my idea is the way and I want to continue working in this way. After the one goal from a set piece, we reduced a lot their possibilities to attack our box. We kept ball possession, kept good positioning and tried to control the game more. That is the way. Of course, we have to add more tactical works but we are excited because even after defeat we have chances,” Emery continued.

The reaction from many supporters was one of frustration at the lack of an attacking threat, but Villa’s head coach was in disagreement over that. Emery was insistent that his players did exactly what he wanted from them on the afternoon, with the only real downsides being the poor starts to the two halves and a lack of clinical edge.

Either way, the result is of course the most important factor and another loss makes the challenge of finishing in the top seven all the greater. Brighton & Hove Albion are just one point ahead but the Seagulls have three games in hand, making them a difficult side to beat to Europe. Meanwhile, three points is the gap to Tottenham, making next week’s game at Villa Park an occasion one that resembles a cup final.