Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Atrás
Unai Emery feels confidence in his Aston Villa side is growing

Villa Park is becoming a fortress in Europe and they have now won their last 12 major European home games and made it three from three in this year’s Champions League.

They picked up their latest win thanks to Ross Barkley’s opener and Emi Buendia’s penalty, as well as an own goal from Henrik Heggheim.

Ross Barkley celebrates the opener
Ross Barkley celebrates the opener (Nick Potts/PA)

Villa would have finished the night top of the Champions League table but for Viking’s Peter Christiansen replying late which also denied them a third straight clean sheet.

Emery admits there is still work to do but his side took another step forward.

He said: “We are delighted how we are responding in our demands. Respecting the competition, respecting the opponents and how we are improving things.

“Through those issues I think we played a good match, serious match. Respecting them and following the plan we set up, then individually the players trying to display their quality.

“Today mixing those objectives, I think we did a good job and some players they did one step forward in their confidence, feeling better and understanding tactically and playing football.”

Unai Emery wants Villa to carry their European form into the Premier League
Unai Emery wants Villa to carry their European form into the Premier League (Nick Potts/PA)

Villa have won twice in front of their own fans in the Champions League but are still waiting to open their home account in the Premier League which Emery hopes will come against Manchester City on the weekend.

He added: “We are challenging each match as a objective to get better to become consistent in Europe and playing matches in the Premier League and trying to be very demanding. How we must feel strong and confident.

“I think there is still work to do, we did a very good match and Champions League is very difficult, but we have nine points.

“Two matches winning here at home. In the Premier League we are still not winning but in Champions League league winning two good matches against Fenerbahce and today and now can feel confident and comfortable for the next challenges.

“The atmosphere was fantastic how we are enjoying Champions League with our supporters and enjoying together.”

Aston Villa players celebrate the third goal
Aston Villa players celebrate the third goal (David Davies/PA)

Viking boss Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim saw his side draw with Bayern Munich last week but were blown away in the first half by Villa a week later.

Aarsheim was happy with the way his side responded in the second half but says they had too much respect for their Premier League opponents before the break.

He said: “Second half was much more like Viking wants to be. Maybe we had too much respect in the first half, they were all over us and didn’t create much which is really rare for Viking.

“In the locker room, we talked we have to be braver with the ball and did much better with the ball. We ended up drawing 1-1 in the second half that is something we can build on.”

You may like

Bruno Guimaraes names the two 'unbelievable' Arsenal stars he enjoys playing with

aol.co.uk hace 51 minutos

Man United chiefs decide blame after humiliating Como defeat for Michael Carrick

Manchester Evening News hace 54 minutos

Michael Carrick disagrees with Bruno Fernandes after second scathing Man United attack

Manchester Evening News hace 1 hora

Real Madrid fans taunt Barcelona ahead of El Clasico

managingbarca.com hace 4 horas

Rayan Cherki: Enzo Maresca shares honest views on showboating from Man City “weapon”

sportsmole.co.uk hace 3 horas

Arsenal star Bruno Guimaraes lifts lid on emotional chat that left team-mates in tears

aol.co.uk hace 51 minutos

EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal revive interest in World Cup winner

footballtransfers.com hace 3 horas

Manchester United predicted XI under Eddie Howe as ex-Newcastle boss tipped to replace Michael Ca...

planetfootball.com hace 51 minutos

Carrick’s Bryan Mbeumo change vs Como was pointless, Lacey opportunity can’t hide desperation

unitedinfocus.com hace 3 horas