"Always we have to improve and of course, we lost one match, but every match we are playing, they are being very difficult. We have to respect the teams in the Conference League and in the Premier League of course. We are still being fifth in the table, but we have to be demanding as well.

“Every player who has joined us this season they have to adapt quickly in our structure and to get the characteristic as a player and to feel comfortable playing in our structure. One of them is Tielemans, but he is a very good player and has experiences. His characteristics as a player I want to add and to try and get in our structure as well. As a player, I think he is progressively feeling better.

"Of course some players have very good experience in Europe. Others never played in it before but may have played with their national teams, in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup and can play three matches in a week. The most important thing for me is to build and create a strong structure not only with 11, 12 or 12 players but with 22 players.

"Sometimes I am rotating but the thinking to add players getting our collective performance like I want. Then of course, each moment depends on the match. Don’t assume anything about the opponent because they can surprise us. In Legia, for example, if we are playing the same match again maybe I can repeat the same starting XI. I did it to try and get the best performance but also using some players because I know we will need them.

"Now is the same, after we won two matches. Tomorrow is very important and I want to manage the players in the squad trying to get from them progressively the performance. Every player has to play and take a process, individually and collectively, in our building of the team. I want to try and use every player and get performances with every player. I am demanding not only with the players in the starting XI. Maybe I will give players chances to play, knowing that for the future it is necessary to do that.

"Tomorrow, for example, I have some doubts. I am not really clear in the starting XI. Why? Because I want to manage trying to impose our idea, style and structure and trying to use different players in the XI. I am not thinking of Sunday but only tomorrow. Sometimes seven days before I know the starting XI for the next match but others I need the last moment. I am not clear about it. It is not because I doubt some players. No, it is because I want to be clinical in my decision about the adaptation and how we can play, while adding something to our structure tactically."

Unai Emery, pre-match.


"Each player has their own ambitions and dreams. You think about it, of course you do.

"There is still a long way to go and a lot of work to do.

"Our ambition in every competition is to lift that trophy at the end of the season. This competition is no different to the Premier League or the FA Cup. We are obviously not in the Carabao Cup but we have got three opportunities to try and break that spell of Aston Villa teams not having any silverware.

"To be involved in that would be a huge achievement and one we are all aspiring to be part of. Hopefully by the end of the season we can be proud of something we have done and write our names in the history books."

John McGinn, pre-match.


"It was very tough. We had to be really patient and fight until the end. Legia are a tough team to play against. The next game will be very important.

“That’s what we’ve been told. Unfortunately it was a mistake from them [disallowing the first goal] and they apologised. In the end it’s okay.”

Youri Tielemans.


"We're obviously very pleased with the win - it was hard out there. In European games there are different challenges. I didn't have many opportunities and in the end I had to go and find one. It's great to score and get the three points.

"I thought it was close, I didn't celebrate because I thought it was tight. You never know with VAR.

"When you play teams twice, they study you and have a chance to put it right. They made it tough for us but we've won the game and that's all that matters.

"The first goal [disallowed effort after three minutes] should have counted. They said they made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes.

"I'm really enjoying it. The team are playing good football and I'm getting chances.

Ollie Watkins.


"It was a very tough match. AZ are a very good team - last season they reached the semi-final, against West Ham, and they are doing very well in the Dutch league. We won 4-1 there but we knew it would be tricky tonight.

"Even when they scored I knew we just needed to keep faith in the game plan, trying to contain our emotions. At Villa Park we feel we have the support even when, like today, we go behind.

"The most important thing for us is to keep being consistent. We want to impose our style and make sure we're stronger. Every competition is different, be it the Premier League or Conference League. We have to try and get a feel for this and show that we can win this competition.

"Very important, very difficult match. We knew we needed to respect them and try to play at Villa Park.

"They scored the first goal. We scored one that was offside more or less. I'm very proud of our work in this competition. We're getting better.

"AZ are a very good team. I'm very happy.

"We have to accept the referee's decision always.

"Legia are doing very well. We are excited to play the next game here.

"It was a very good chance for Kamara, it was fantastic, but it was not a corner, it's clear, and after this mistake we score.

"I'm very happy because when we are winning a game like tonight we can understand this competition better and the processes we're trying to build.

"I'm very proud of our work in this competition. We're getting better.

"We scored one that was offside more or less. We have to accept the referee's decision, always.

"I'm very proud of our work in this competition. We're getting better. AZ are a very good team. I'm very happy. The reaction when they scored the goal was fantastic."

Unai Emery.


"The difficulty hasn’t been a surprise to me as I know how hard it is to get in these competitions.

"I think the perception from the outside is that 'it’s just the Conference League and Aston Villa will turn up with the players we have and win'. It’s not been like that at all.

"In Alkmaar the scoreline suggests it was a comfortable game but even at 4-1, there were spells that were not comfortable. We are coming up against good teams and we are pretty inexperienced at this level. We are gradually improving but all three teams in the group have given us huge test so far. Hopefully, we can push on and qualify.

"We are embracing it and we know we’re one of the biggest teams in the competition, but that doesn’t mean we turn up against teams and we’re off it.

"[Against Legia Warsaw] we got punished. As much as we didn’t want to lose, it was a huge learning curve and has given us a platform to respect each and every team we face."

“It’s a great time to play at Villa Park.

"It is the first time in a long time that supporters have got full trust and belief in us as players. The support is there and it’s a great place to play football.

"We’ve turned it into a fortress but it can quite easily change. Football changes so quickly so we can’t be naive to think we just turn up there and win now. We need to keep it going.

"It’s a really impressive run and one we’re proud of and hoping to extend."

John McGinn, post-match.