“We are in the same position, still 11th, but really close with the same points as Chelsea and close to the other teams who are having very good seasons, like Fulham, Brentford and Brighton. We are very excited about the possibility to be close to them.

“After our three defeats against Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal, the reaction was amazing. In the past four matches, we spoke about the possibility to get ready to be in the top 10 or to continue struggling and be at the bottom.

“When I arrived here, we were struggling at the bottom of the table. The reaction from the players, the club, the supporters and the coaches was amazing. We are now clear of the bottom positions and now we can think that our new challenge is to be in the top 10. We have this opportunity, starting this Saturday.”

Unai Emery, pre-match.



“It’s not easy to come here. We prepared for the match thinking we might struggle, which we did at times in the first half.

“We started very well the first 20 minutes, and then after our goal the defence and the goalkeeper were very important.

“At half time we discussed that sometimes you have to struggle before you can score, to be mentally clever to know that sometimes that is the way you win. We spoke about how we could better and manage their attacks, which I think we managed to do well in the second half.

“On the pitch and in the dressing room [John McGinn] is a very important player. Every day he is smiling, he works hard, he is competitive. His commitment is amazing. He understands everything we ask of him tactically, and he deserves the performances he is producing.

“His performances are very good. His commitment every day with his teammates practicing. In the dressing room he’s smiling. He likes training, he likes playing. He’s very, very intelligent, playing, and I can use him in different positions.

“It was amazing as well his power and mentality. We are very happy with him because, while we are here trying to get to know the players, I think it’s not a surprise because I knew before he was a very good player but now I feel it here.

“There were some doubts about him before I arrived but now there’s no doubt about him because his performances are great not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room. He’s helping us so much!

“It will be very, very difficult to challenge for Europe. Our objective is to be in the top 10, which we currently are. But from Tuesday onwards, we need to make sure we stay there.

“We are happy but I think in the balance as well with this three points we are thinking we are now in the top 10.

“But we play on Tuesday as well so we cannot stop, we have to keep going and be competitive like today.

“We won and we were speaking how we have to be competitive and clever in the mind, we need to be offensively good and defensively good and brilliant like we were today.

“In the second half, defensively the control was better than the first half. We scored the second goal and we tried to be the same; to understand defensively.

“We put Calum Chambers as a right-back and to try and defend one-on-one outside with Chilwell. I think it was key in the second half and we stopped them better.

“We are in the top 10, now we have to keep it. We have to play on Tuesday but first we rest and analyse this game. Then we have to be competitive against Leicester and not stop in our ambition.

“It was amazing today defensively, the commitment from every player was amazing.

“We have to understand sometimes to play good we have to be brilliant defensively. I think we are improving, we are as well being consistent and competitive away.

“Everybody is in good commitment to work.

“Confidence is the consequence of practicing and practicing with yourself. The only way I know is to practice, be demanding and think 100% football.

“[To qualify for Europe is] very difficult. But if we keep winning points then maybe we can keep adding a new objective. Hopefully yes.”

“It was amazing today defensively, the commitment from every player was amazing. We have to understand sometimes to play good we have to be brilliant defensively. I think we are improving, we are as well being consistent and competitive away. Everybody is in good commitment to work.

Unai Emery.


“Proud of this Villa team, proud of the whole Villa family.

“But no time to relax, really focussed on Tuesday’s match. We don’t stop. We want more.

“We showed our winning mentality and I told the players to win the match today against Chelsea, away, you have to struggle and show strong mentality; to defend together when the opponent is pushing us. To be competitive like we were today is the way I want.”

Unai Emery.


“We do a load of work in training to get goals on the transitions. Ollie [Watkins] is on fire at the moment, so a great goal to get us going.

“Everyone was flinging their bodies on the line. This league’s difficult so to go on a run like we’ve done, and to stay so humble, to a man we were first class today.

“It’s been a long time coming I was just fortunate the shot didn’t get blocked. Just an amazing feeling it went in. After the Scotland win it’s been an amazing week.

“I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve tried to lace it and it’s been blocked. So I side-footed and it went in. I’m delighted and hopefully it will start a run.

“The start of the season was for me was extremely difficult. The manager, Steven Gerrard, was first class with me, he had a lot of trust in me but I didn’t really repay that. My performances were below par.

“I’m glad to know that I’m not the problem after all.

“I spent some time on the bench and put my head down and worked hard. I got my chance to come back in and hopefully I can keep doing that and keep my form up.”

John McGinn.



“I think we’re compact and solid and definitely hard to break down.

”I didn’t actually know that until Emi Buendia told me before the game [becoming the first Villa player to score in five consecutive Premier League away games} . I had no idea what he was on about.

“Obviously I’m delighted, I’m happy that I’m scoring and it’s helping the team to win. All round a good day.

“Each game I’m thinking about how I can help the team by scoring goals and creating chances for my team-mates. Every game I’m trying to be the best I can be.

“I think you saw we stole the ball a few times on the transition. We probably should have buried the game in the first half I think.

“I think we deserve that win so credit for the boys.

“On Tuesday we’ve got Leicester, a good team who are not playing well at the moment. But this is the Premier League, everyone can beat everyone.”

“We kept seeing it [the chance to break] on the transition. And a mistake between the two centre-backs and Douglas Luiz found me. I saw Kepa off his line… I did that a few times in training this week actually so it’s lucky it came into practice.

“We have to take things game by game. We have another quick turnaround, and play Leicester on Tuesday. We need to go and win that. We just need to keep winning games and see where that puts us [in the table].”

Ollie Watkins.