“It was two different halves. The first we conceded more than we wanted but they had a lot of energy and were pushing.

“There were a lot of duels and we needed to stay calm and break the first press to attack the spaces and we did a very good goal, an amazing goal with very good transitions, but then we needed our goalkeeper to save some good moments from them.

“The second half was different. We spoke about fighting face to face in the duels, but we needed to keep the ball and tried to do longer possession with the ball and try to impose and progress with the passes and keep control of the goal.

“We did amazing in the second half and scored the second goal and had chances to score a third goal. They had one or two chances as well and they scored but the second half was very different and our performance was better.

“I was concerned by the number of chances they created. We are trying to control matches with good possession and to not concede a lot of chances but they have good players and they tried to put the ball in our box and do it so fast. I am so happy for the victory and our performance. Bailey didn’t score two very good chances against Wolves and today he scored and he has done the action for the second goal. It will be amazing for his confidence. The spirit of the team today with the support was very good.

“The first half we were a little bit happy but confused. We weren’t playing very well. We had less chances than we wanted. We were expecting them to attack as well. They’re a team who want to attack quickly and to get balls into the box. They are so direct with long balls and second actions. We didn’t control the first half and we were a little upset and confused. We changed something to keep the ball possession longer and that, for us, was the key. Because after it we break the pressing and had spaces to attack. They backtracked and we had chances to score the second and chances to score the third.”

Unai Emery.

---

“Emi Martinez made some good saves and Leon Bailey played a part in both goals so probably just edges Ashley Young for man of the match.

“I will go away tonight thinking it is the best atmosphere I’ve seen at Villa Park for a long time.”

Gary Neville.

---

“We knew it was going to be tough. We know what comes in games against Leeds, they are always a bit feisty. We were up for that tonight. Every man from the keeper to the forwards were fantastic tonight. I’m not sure if it was a foul in the build-up to their goal and we had to dig deep and we did that superbly tonight.

“We needed to bounce back. I’m not too sure it was a point to prove because our performances in the league have been very good. It is another three points. We knew it was going to be a big game. Leon has been brilliant and when you work hard like he does you get your rewards.

“It was a good battle with Gnonto. I was feeling my back at half time. It is one of those things, the manger has put in the team to have battles like that and I’m delighted with the three points.”

Ashley Young.

---

“For us tonight was really important. We enjoyed the game and showed a really good team spirit. It was great to have the fans on their feet again. It is nice to get a win again at Villa Park.

“It was definitely the perfect start, we couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was brilliant from the first moment and it was great to see the team there for each other from the first moment to the last.

“It was definitely a relief to see the ball go in. It was definitely coming. I’ve had some moments where the ball wouldn’t go in but I’m glad to take that opportunity today.

“It was very important for us to get the three points, we needed the fans to get that winning feeling. I hope we can keep consistent now.”

Leon Bailey.

---

“Good evening. Yeah, really happy. A tough match, a difficult team. Our performance tonight was different in the first half to the second half. The first half, I think, we deserved more and, in the second half, we decided on pushing for three points.

“[On Leon Bailey] Yes! Because the last match we played against Wolves he had two chances and we drew and he was thinking about his responsibilities to score. We were helping him, supporting him. We were as well trying to give him confidence to continue and to carry on with his work. Tonight was totally different. He participated in the first goal and the second goal.

“[On Álex Moreno] He was very important and the club worked very well to have him as an option from the bench. With Lucas [Digne] injured, he was very important. His impact was good and his adaptation is going to be better having played tonight, with the rhythm and intensity. I think, for him, it’s important and for the team as well that he plays so soon.

“He has to adapt. His adaptation is going to be quicker having played tonight. He struggled a little bit with the rhythm and intensity. It was different but he reacted very, very well. He finished the match showing us his skill and he got in the box and had two good chances to score. He crossed some good balls as well. I’m so happy with him and Lucas and I want to have players competing and being better in the squad, the possibility to use different profiles with the squad and, with both, I’m so happy.

“[On Emiliano Martínez] He’s intelligent! He knows now after the World Cup, he has to do and be committed here. He came here to improve individually and the club helped him as well to be in the national team, being a protagonist and winning. But now, I’m so happy with him because we spoke about the differences between the national team and now with us. He did very good work and he has experience. He’s been amazing. He’s in his best moment of his career and now, I think, we have to share with him his moment. The supporters love him as well. When he didn’t play as well with Olsen, he accepted his role and he helped us. I think we can be so, so happy with both goalkeepers. I want to build a team, with good spirit and a small family.

“We controlled that better in the second half with positioning, keeping ball possession longer to break their pressing. The goalkeeper is very important to give us confidence, to give us calmness and to help the centre-back by making sure each action with the ball building up. Emiliano is very good at saving as he did but, as well, with the ball he can help us.

“[On whether Olsen’s lack of ability was a problem] No, I believe in Olsen. We have to be respectful to him and we won at Tottenham. We won 2-0 and he played very well.

Unai Emery.

---

“What a win in first gear!!”

“3 points off European places!! UTV Another relegation battle for Leeds.”

Gabby Agbonlahor.

---

“[On the future of Morgan Sanson] I spoke with him. He didn’t play a lot here because of different circumstances. He’s a very smart guy, a very smart player. He is very skilled and he played very well on Sunday (vs Stevenage).

“I spoke with him and, usually, he has the possibility to leave but, as well, while he’s here with us I can use him and, for example, for tomorrow he’s in the squad. He has the possibility to play tomorrow and to help us.

“But thinking about the next month with the matches, his future as well and, if he can have some opportunity to leave and to play more minutes than he’s playing here, he can leave.”

“I am so happy with him as a person. With him, every day he’s working and he’s helping the team. He’s together, his commitment, I’m so happy with him, really. I was so happy with his performance on Sunday but the result was a pity that day.”

Unai Emery.

---

“[On potential new signings] Maybe zero, or maybe we add one more. The January market is not easy and we only want to add players if they really will improve us and make us better as a team.

“I am so demanding with the players we can sign. I am being so demanding because we have in the squad very good players and we will only do something if we can improve. I’m speaking with Johan Lange every day about the possibilities in the transfer market.”

“But if we can add someone in the attacking third, we are ready to do it. But only if we can add one player who’ll improve the team, the squad and to help us in a different profile, maybe.”

Unai Emery.

---

“Villa Park at midnight after a tough battle.

“I was thinking that this is really a home, not only a Stadium.

“After the loss in FA Cup, our fans welcomed us with full confidence and unconditional support. It was one of the keys for the winning against a very good opponent.

“We are building a team and it’s easier to do if we feel the positive energy that every single fan at Villa Park is giving us. Players are totally committed with this Club.

“They are working hard. We are Aston Villa, and we are stronger together. A family.”

Unai Emery.

---

“Very happy for my debut, amazing Villa Park fans, great victory, 3 points!”

Álex Moreno.

---

“Wow. Tough on the legs but Team Spirit and Being Together As A Team got us them Big 3 Points last night. You fans helped us massively. UTV.”

Ashley Young.

---

“We couldn’t have asked for anything better. It was brilliant from the very first moment and it was really great to see the team be there for each other from start to end, it was very important for us.

“It’s definitely (a) relief (to score), it’s been coming and there were some more opportunities I didn’t take but I’m really excited I could take this one, it’s going to give me confidence moving forwards.

“For us tonight it was very important, as you can see. We enjoyed the game, we showed a lot of team spirit, it was great to have the fans on their feet again and it’s nice to get a win again at Villa Park.”

Leon Bailey.

---

“Two seasons ago we finished 11th and everyone thought the next season was going to be it.

“We were going to finish in the top half and try and get into Europe. But [then the former manager arrived and set us backwards by a huge margin and] it didn’t work out. Sometimes in football things just go that way.

“As players we know where we are and where we want to be. It has been a good start under the new boss and we just have to continue doing it, continuing improving and adapting to his style of play.

“It’s a process and one which is going really well so far. Before it was about consistency and we did not have enough of that. The boss has brought that within us. Each day is a new learning day out there. It is great to learn from a manager who has such a CV and trophies under his belt.

“There’s a lot of information. We have meetings now which are really long – I couldn’t tell you how long exactly – but we are talking hours and it really helps us.

“When you are on the pitch you see things a certain way. When you get in that room, you see different things and I feel that is how we are improving as a team, looking back at games, seeing what we can do better.

“As a player, that is what you want. You are always looking at where you can improve and that attention to detail is key.”

---

“I’m bored. It’s the first time I’ve done my hamstring, at 28 which I’m not getting used to. But it feels alright, hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be back.

“The gaffer always tells us that it’s a long game, 90 minutes is a long time so you have to be patient and find time to get back into the game.

“Positioning, he’s mad for positioning,.

“He talks about body position, just little details I’ve never experienced and I feel as if he’s improved me in the short-term.”

John McGinn.