3-2

"At half time the scoreline bears no correlation to the match we are watching."

Match Commentator.


"The football is really for the people here. The supporters like when they can watch a goal like that - it is fantastic, it is a winning goal.

"The supporters helped us a lot and we were focusing to keep our game-plan and trying to get our chances to score.

"The crowd are understanding our ideas and style - we were progressively creating chances.

"Ollie Watkins is important for the team and Jhon Duran still having an impact is fantastic. Of course, with different competitions we will use different players to help the team.

"Watkins had chances to score more, we created chances and the strikers are there to score. He is fantastic and he is feeling better after he come back from the national team.

"He is intelligent and a good professional."

"We are happy.

"It is the first time on Tuesday that Aston Villa will play the Champions League in a long time. Tomorrow, working no resting. Monday, travelling and playing on Tuesday - really exciting match.

"We needed today to be focused and I am happy for it we have to be focused for the Champions League."

“It was a good match, for our supporters and theirs. I think we deserved [the win].

“I’m very happy because I think the three points are very important for us – and how we achieved them gives us confidence. Even at 2-0, we were trying to keep our game plan in our mind.

“Today was difficult, because some players started training on Friday after the international break. The mind has to be focused on each moment. We’re playing again on Tuesday [in the Champions League]. The Premier League is the most important competition we’ll have this year. Of course the Champions League is big for the supporters and we have to be competitive there, but we can’t waste a match in the Premier League.”

“Today, Watkins started [the comeback]. They played 15 minutes together. [Jhon Durán] has been confident as a player, with his skills and within our structure. He has scored like that before. We know [he can do it]. He’s confident to shoot from there.

“He’s scoring. I’m very happy because we have two strikers and we have to try to manage both. Today we started to play both. We have to try to keep the balance.”

Unai Emery post match.



"It was an entertaining game, end-to-end at times - a lot of goals and chances.

"A good game to watch as a fan and a nice game to play in. These are the games you want to play in. We have shown great character to come from behind and get the three points.

"I wouldn't say it's a drought. The start of this season I have come into it and I've had good opportunities that I've not taken, it is down to me to finish it.

"Today I did, and I have come away with two goals."

"That's what he's [Jhon Durán] got in his locker, he has got a lot of ability. We have seen him score worldies before, when he comes onto the pitch he's always a handful.

"If you back yourself to shoot from that far, why not?"

Ollie Watkins.



"It was a shock [to go two goals down], we were controlling the game.

"I think the first strike of the game it went through legs and they go 1-0. The second with the free-kick they go 2-0 up. But, it shows how far we have come as a club and we got three points."

"I have seen it [Jhon Durán’s goal] from behind and I saw the ball moving - it was unstoppable.

"It was a great strike, we have been trying to help Duran in the Premier League and if he can keep the consistency he can be a really big threat.

"He can be one of the best strikers in the world, but he needs to keep his feet on the ground and to work hard.

"He has one of the top strikers [Ollie Watkins] in England playing in front of him."

Emiliano Martínez



“It takes a moment of magic like that, and Jhon has come up with it. Everyone knows what he can do, and when he’s got the opportunity he shows it. It’s one of the best [goals] we’ve seen.”

“There’s such a quick turnaround from the Euros. A lot of the boys are getting back up to fitness. I still don’t feel 100%. I’m disappointed a didn’t get the hat-trick – I should be coming off with the match ball – but I’ll settle for the two.

“I’m not at 100%. I took some time off during the international break. I don’t want to miss too many matches, though.

“We were obviously unlucky against Arsenal. We’re delighted we got [the win] today. Now we focus on the Champions League, which everyone is looking forward to.”

Ollie Watkins.



"He came back on Friday and did only one training session with us after he played with his national team

"He has made a good impact in the first three games, scoring goals and helping the team.

"For this reason, he was staring with Colombia and he is in a process. His potential is huge and I want to get the best of him, support him, help him and be demanding of him. He is taking confidence from scoring goals. Even after his [winning] goal, he had other chances to score.

"Today Watkins scored two goals and it is very good. We have to feel comfortable with both strikers and proud of how we can play with two strikers, one or both. This is the challenge we have.

“We need skills and individually skilled players doing something special sometimes. Football has always been like that and it is never going to change.

"Duran at Manchester City away, he shot and hit the crossbar. He scored against Liverpool here, he scored outside the box against Ajax. When he is shooting, we are giving him confidence to do it.

"He may or may not score, but he can score from there as he has the capacity to do it. He has potential to exploit with us.

"The summer was a little strange and not clear. We decided and he decided with us to stay here so we focused again on his process. I am happy with him and believe in his potential.

"We will need time [to develop the Ollie Watkins / Jhon Durán partnership]. It is a good possibility. Last year we did it sometimes, but not really being positive. Why? Because they need to connect better and to be in our structure feeling comfortable with other players. This is a process in my mind. It is not a problem, it is a really good solution.

"He has made a good impact in last three games, scoring goals and helping the team. For this reason, he played in the starting XI for Colombia.

"His potential is huge and I want to support him, help him and be demanding with him. Then he can possibly get better, more confidence and today Watkins scored two goals - you have to feel comfortable with those strikers.

"We have to think about how we can play with two strikers - this is the challenge I have."

Unai Emery.



"I’m very happy because we achieved three points but [especially] how we achieved it after we were in trouble in the first half, it was fantastic. How we reacted with our supporters, understanding in that moment how we needed to keep our game plan and ideas to come back the result.

"Even if we did not get it, I think today was very important how we were connecting with our supporters and how they understood how we want to build the team, with the idea and style. The supporters are important, being massive and helping. We can feel it.

"We have to be intelligent. Playing in matches, like the international players did before, getting today only one training session with us and playing again on Tuesday, we have to try and be clinical. We have to be intelligent, using each match the characteristics we need on the pitch.

"Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans they are playing more or less similar. They can even play together with one other midfielder - Amadou Onana or Kamara - but when we needed in the second half to keep ball possession, taking time in the build up.

"I decided to change tactically for Onana. I told last week when you were asking me about him, he’s been really relevant with his impact in the squad but there’s still a lot of work to do, trying to get our ideas tactically and feel comfortable doing it.

"The players, they are joining us in the structure we are trying to build and it’s not easy for them to adapt quick. Amadou, he was doing quick because we didn’t have Kamara in the squad available to play. The characteristics of those players are more or less similar but they can play together.

"Today I decided the change tactically but of course, it was not for his mistake because I am never punishing the mistakes of the players. Never.

"Lamare [Bogarde] is a young player. When we arrived here, we played a match in Cardiff. He was playing right full-back, we can remember in that moment how we was playing and how he’s now playing.

"He is 20 years old. He was 18 years old two years ago. We need the process and understand a little bit tactically everything we need and want to play in our demands.

"Another step is for them to play, feel comfortable, get experiences and get minutes - positive minutes. Two weeks ago he played well, today he played well. He was feeling comfortable progressively better in the second half than in the first half.

"We are always supporting and being demanding in the process I have. I like to support young players, giving them chances but also getting the performances we need with players like Lamare. The idea is to keep going.

"Like I am telling you, it’s my responsibility. I have pressured myself when I can have challenges with the young players to progress and to settle them in our structure, getting the performances we need. I am really proud of it."

"Yes of course [Ollie Watkins is happier], but when he was creating chances before and didn’t score my message was the same: keep going because if you are creating chances, the goals are coming.

"Today was the day, it was fantastic. Even after two goals, he had two chances more to score. I think this is the way, confidence is important for him. But I don’t lose my confidence about the goals he’s going to do.

"Lucas Digne is playing in our structure, adding one side one full-back more [forward] because Pau Torres can build up and get a bit higher on the left side. He’s a very good player, trying to connect with our midfielders, wingers and strikers from there. With Lucas, we can exploit his capacity to cross. He’s clinical with his crosses."

Unai Emery.