"We've used this competition to get confidence, and tomorrow the objective is not to get confidence but to compete. Because of how we started, these three points are very important in case we want to be in the top eight.

"We now have the time we needed to adapt some new players and create the emotional balance within the team.

“We have a lot of respect for the teams in Europe because they are usually very motivated when they are playing at home. They are going to be playing at home with their supporters and will try to beat us.

"They [Go Ahead] have a good style, look to make combinations and to keep possession of the ball. They are also really aggressive, man-to-man in their high press. It means we have to adapt in everything that we do."

**Unai Emery, pre-match.**



“There is strong competition

"Lucas [Digne] is a fantastic player with a lot of qualities, and I'm the young player coming into the Premier League, so I can learn a lot from him and we have a good relationship.

"He keeps me sharp and keeps me focused, so I'm not worried about my place in the team because the coach and my teammates know my qualities.

"Whenever they need me, I'm ready.

"I trust the coaches here. Whenever my minutes are coming, I'm ready to perform and show my qualities.

"Sometimes it is a bit difficult [to find rhythm], but on the training pitch we work on the details, so on the training ground - that's the moment I can prepare myself for games and watch clips.

"My defensive skills are getting much better now. I am more confident in the way that he [Emery] wants me to defend. He has improved me a lot on the defensive side."

**Ian Mattsen, pre-match.**



“Europe is always very difficult. I have my own experiences, but the most important ones are the experiences we have together here with Aston Villa.

“To get a good result away, it’s necessary to play focused, to play disciplined, to play seriously, and then to play trying to impose our gameplan and tactical structure against the opponent."

**Unai Emery, pre-match.**



“We have nothing to lose and it's all down to us. Our campaign began in June, and we have taken lessons from the games we have played against FCSB and [Panathinaikos] in Greece. We are more results-oriented, smarter as a team, and there's always a chance. We carry that belief with us; this team can beat anyone.

"You always have a number of managers in the world that you keep an eye on, and Villa's manager is one of mine. He has a very clear vision of football. He doesn't compromise on that; he truly stands by it. And he's really successful."

**Go Ahead manager Melvin Boel, pre-match.**



"This showed us how difficult it is to play away in Europe. Even dominating chances, we conceded mistakes, some chances. We must accept it.

"There is still work to do. We have broken the good form we have and I hope we recover quick. We were very optimistic before the match, but we lost. Now we have to react.

"They had motivation and their goal helped them to feel stronger. The second goal we conceded we have to try to avoid. The first goal was through a set piece. Second half we dominated, we conceded a few chances but they were clinical. They deserved it.

"Europe helped us a lot to come back after our bad start, and now it's cut our good moment. We have to keep going and moving forward.

"Today the responsibility was for Buendia, and normally he has good numbers shooting penalties, but he missed.

"Of course, something can happen, and we will try to get more clinical in the penalty shoot than the last penalties we have had.

"Our takers are clear. Buendia was today, [Jadon] Sancho, John McGinn, Morgan [Rogers] as well can shoot penalties.

"And, of course, Emiliano can repeat, but the idea is try to be so, so responsible about the decision and about the takers who can score.

"It is normal. We need every player.

**Unai Emery, post-match.**