Manager Unai Emery feels that Aston Villa’s convincing 4-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar demonstrated their ability to play in Europe.
John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and Youri Tielemans scored as a strong Villa team won the Europa Conference League with ease.
It was Villa’s second 4-1 victory in as many games, coming after their victory over West Ham on Sunday. After defeating last year’s eliminated semi-finalists, Villa won consecutive Group E titles.
“We have to demonstrate every day and show everyone our wishes while we are playing those matches if we want to be a contender. “I believe we succeeded,” Emery said during a press conference.
“They participated in last year’s semi-final matchup against West Ham, which is why we respect them.” They defeated Lazio and Anderlecht in the previous season, and the reason for their success is their background in European championships.
“The players have to be mature, responsible, and demanding of themselves, not only when I’m pushing them, which makes me extremely delighted with them. They must make an effort to raise both their own personal and group standards.
Bailey gave Villa the lead after AZ’s careless play was exploited, and Tielemans extended the advantage ten minutes later.
Six minutes after the break, Watkins doubled the lead after Bailey’s attempt was stopped by former Brighton goalie Mat Ryan.
McGinn scored a fourth goal five minutes later, heading in Bailey’s cross at the near post.
With twenty-five minutes remaining, Ibrahim Sadiq’s excellent effort from the edge of the box gave AZ a goal back.
“I can only speak for myself, but I’ve never played against such a good team,” remarked home side defender David Moller-Wolfe.
“I felt like they just moved in behind us when we tried to press them high, and they played in between us while we stayed.” Nevertheless, I fail to see why we can’t defeat them when we visit Villa Park in a few weeks.
