'He knows my demand' - Unai Emery slams rebellious Aston Villa attacker for moment of madness

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was delighted with his side’s 3-1 victory away at Club Brugge on Tuesday night but still went home with one frustration as he was let down by one of his players.

Leon Bailey’s half-volley, Marco Asensio’s penalty and an own goal from Brandon Mechele were enough to secure Villa a two-goal advantage in the two-legged Champions League last 16 tie. Brugge visit Villa Park next Wednesday with a mountain to climb but the deficit could’ve been even steeper had Emery’s side kept a clean sheet in Belgium.

The goal conceded - to bring the score level at 1-1 - was poor from a defensive point of view as Axel Disasi played Christos Tzolis onside before left-back Maxim De Cuyper was afforded far too much space to convert into the far bottom corner.

Bailey may have opened the scoring with an excellent strike of his own but he was at fault for Brugge’s equaliser as he failed to track De Cuyper’s run despite being instructed to do so by Emery. Villa’s head coach praised Bailey for his attacking involvement but certainly didn’t shy away from his frustrations at the Jamaican’s defensive work - or rather lack of - at a key moment.

“Of course, it’s very important the numbers of all the players and his goal for him and the team is fantastic,” Emery began, in a tunnel interview with TNT Sports. “Individual skills and individual performances are very important. Leon Bailey’s performance - scoring a goal - is really fantastic.

“But I’m really demanding with him because defensively the action they scored, it was their left full-back. Of course, he knows my demand of him to follow in this situation his marking man. This is the challenge we have,” Emery added.

Handed a surprise start on the right flank as Asensio picked up a knock last week, Bailey certainly took his opportunity to impress as he scored his first-ever goal in the Champions League. It was a stunning finish, too, as he judged the bounce of the ball perfectly to strike sweetly.

It wasn’t all positives, though. The 27-year-old is usually a superb asset defensively - a trait Emery appreciates - but such talents weren’t on show in Bruges. Jogging back and allowing De Cuyper goal side was inexcusable, especially as it led to the hosts stealing the momentum in the tie.

Had Brugge been more clinical on the night, Nicky Hayen’s side easily could’ve had the advantage instead. Emiliano Martinez twice came to the rescue with important stops to deny Chemsdine Talbi and Raphael Onyedika, whereas Tyrone Mings saved a certain goal as he slid in at the last moment to flick away Hans Vanaken’s header from the goalmouth.

Emery guards against complacency

Villa will run to the hills with their two-goal lead but this encounter certainly isn’t over as Brugge, 5-2 aggregate winners over Atalanta in the previous round, are more than capable of turning a game on its head.

Refusing to rule out a Brugge comeback, Emery added: “We played today 90 minutes and we know we have to play another 90 minutes continuing the game plan we had here today, trying to extend in another 90 minutes.

“Of course, we are ready in case as well we have extra time and in case we get the penalty shootout. We have to be ready because we have to respect everything.

“They beat Atalanta 3-1 and they competed very well. We are not in the quarter-final. I know how difficult each match is and how it can change.”