Aston Villa Coach Unai Emery has hailed club fans for their support as his players battled to a goalless draw against Newcastle United at Villa Park, Softfootball reports.
It was the first match of the new premier league season and the Magpies visited without their top striker from last season, Alexander Isak but Villa had a problem of their own as they finished the second half with just 10-men after England international Ezri Konsa saw a straight red card for a foul on Anthony Gordon.
Speaking to Aston Villa’s official club media, the former Arsenal and Sevilla Coach lauded the fans for sticking by the team throughout the encounter and helping them maintain an unbeaten record at home.
Emery said:
“Grateful for our supporters. Full stadium, the first match we were, everybody, motivated and excited to start here winning.
“Of course, this is the 22nd match not losing at home and it is very good as well to achieve it, but (to) lose like we did today, two points at home, maybe is not the best.
“I am not happy only achieving one point, but how (it) was going the match, and against the opponent we have, we have to accept it at the end of the match.
“We didn’t concede a lot, but very good chances they had, and our goalkeeper saved fantastic, Marco (Bizot).”
Emery went on to praise for maintaining their discipline and defensive resilience for the remaining minutes of the match following the red card.
He said:
“After the red card, again, the match changed completely. Of course, in my mind, was (that) we have to try to get one transition and to score one goal to win.
“But firstly, we needed defensively to set a high commitment, everybody in (their) task, and they did it. And, of course, we didn’t concede a lot of chances. More or less, we were defending a lot of corners, and I think we have to accept this result.”
Aston Villa return to premier league action next week Saturday when they travel to London to face Brentford while Newcastle United entertain defending champions Liverpool on Monday.
