"Yes, we did really well. The first 20 minutes we started a bit soft in everything. Even when we scored [the offside goal] we then conceded some big chances.

"Then we controlled it better. In the first half we were suffering a bit with Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia. We tried to reduce that better in the second half. We were disciplined and had control of the game more or less, even when they dominated a little bit, we were defensively focused to do well.

"We were speaking before the match about the injuries we had and we needed to try to work with every player in the season.

"The challenge we have is to go to Manchester City [next]. We have to try to prepare the best possible way with the players we have. We have to try to do our best and keep going to be consistent. We are happy with the three points today and it is very important so we need to enjoy that as well.

"He [Ollie Watkins] was feeling something in his hamstring and I think we have to wait for tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a big injury but it's his hamstring.

"At the beginning he was telling us that he could carry on playing. The doctor told us it was better to not play with risk. We decided to stop him. Tomorrow he will have a scan.

"I want more of course. To score a goal in different ways is very important. But overall I am happy because we were very organised in the 90 minutes and we did well to create our chances to score. We are happy for Ezri Konsa but we have to try to think about how to get better options for every player to score goals.

"He [Ezri Konsa]’s playing now with the national team and for the first time in Europe .These are very good experiences he is taking. I think he has been more consistent and more demanding of himself.

"We have to push him because he has qualities that are more what he is showing. We have to continue to work with him defensively and on his positioning. And playing as the third man as a centre-back.

"He scored one goal today which was fantastic as well for him and the team so we need to carry on his process as a player."

Unai Emery, post match.


"We spoke before and wanted to get the win and focus on our game. We got the three points and I amanged to grab a goal myself. I meant it and I'm really pleased.

"I believe in myself and ever since the boss has come in, I've grown a lot as a player and a man and I want to continue doing that under the boss.

"We knew we had to win after Tottenham's result earlier and we did that.

"I don't remember the last time we had a clean sheet. it's always good to keep the ball out the net as a defender.

"We've had a few injuries to key players this season but we've managed to get results when it matters. The games have been coming thick and fast.

"It's been a perfect week, making my debut for England. To top it off with a win and a goal, I'm really pleased for myself and the boys.

"Yeah I meant it! Na, I saw Jhon [Duran] coming in at the back post so I was hoping to give him an assist. I'm really pleased. I think it was my first goal in two, almost three years.

"We know our last performance at home wasn't good enough. We wanted to give the fans something to cheer about today and that's what we did.

"[Emiliano Martinez] is the best goalkeeper in the world for a reason. Sometimes he keeps us in games and that's what he did today.

"It's hard to put into words. It was a dream come true to make my England debut and it's something I've been working hard on. I want to continue working and learning so that's what I'm going to do.”

Ezri Konsa.



"Very important. Those three points, here at Villa Park. It has been difficult sometimes here, against Newcastle, Man Utd, Tottenham. Different matches, but we didn’t achieve points in those matches.

"We are being consistent and we are recovering quickly our confidence and our way. After those defeats we reacted well. We drew at West Ham with a good point and today we got a win.

"Today was a difficult match. We started soft in the first 20 minutes, but we recovered as well progressively getting better. We imposed in some moments our game plan.

“I was demanding more intensity. I was demanding we drive, do more passes to get in behind. I don’t know exactly but I told them in the dressing room and as well in the first 20 minutes when we weren’t dominating the match. I told them to recover quickly, to jump more than them and to stop them in the build-up. We did progressively get better after the minute 20 but of course we respect them as a team, as players, and they started better than us.

"We dominated, scored goals, but respected them. We played serious. We were disciplined and the victory is very, very important.

"We have to get the combinations between different players in the squad. Of course, getting balance. Leon Bailey and Diaby, they were feeling comfortable playing together.

"Sometimes we need something different. I think they played well, with confidence. But, of course, there is still work to do to get more and more in the combination we can have with different players. We try to build and learn.

“We want to win always through clean sheet but we are not being clinical. But, more or less, we are fourth. We are I think in the balance 20 goals up then down. I think it’s a good balance and we are watching a lot of matches, a lot of goals. Teams are being offensive and aggressive playing in attack and scoring a lot, more or less we are in the same way.

"It’s the day 30. There are still eight matches to play and we have to be consistent like we were. Like we showed today as well.

"Until the day 33, 34, I don’t want to speak about the possibility to play in the Champions League. We are in and we are happy. We can feel conferrable being fourth in the table. Of course, Tottenham is behind us.

"Manchester United as well, they have a potential to recover the distance we have with them. We are going to respect everything and focus on each match. My only focus is City.

“[Álex Moreno] played today higher than normal because I think we could exploit him attacking higher. He got in the opponent box many times but the crosses he did weren’t finding the good solutions for our strikers. He wasn’t clinical crossing. But I like and appreciate a lot today how he played higher and tried to get again his performances like he had before.

“Of course, defensively as well, with more on the left side we were struggling a bit because Sarabia and Semedo had good movement. It’s true that when we changed with Lucas [Digne] and [Nicolò] Zaniolo, one reason from me was for it [the struggle] and we did better.

“Yes, [Nicolò Zaniolo] is better, he is completely better. I like to watch him like that. He started the season a little bit with some problems and the adaptation was longer than I expected. But I spoke with him and I can tell him and tell you his performances are completely better and he’s close to playing more minutes.

“The impact of Jhon Durán was good. His responsibility is to be ready and when he’s playing to try and play in the same structure we have. Today, he did.”

Unai Emery, post match.