“We’re in December and we still have a lot of matches to play in each competition. We have a lot of things to improve.
“How we were two months ago and how we are now is different. We are building an emotional structure inside to get everybody together and feel like we are doing.
“Even when we are not winning, we can feel the same. If we are sad, if we are happy, we must share our emotions in the dressing room, with our supporters and everyone else in Aston Villa.
“On the field, how we are being responsible. The players took responsibility after we were losing some matches and not performing well in August and September.
“We were progressively getting better and the players had total responsibility. They are showing me they are being mature, responsible and ambitious in how we need to work every day to set our standards.
“This competition is so, so special for me. Europe is so special. Why is because it gave me a lot – trophies, of course, and lots of experiences.
“Every year playing in Europe is, for me, fantastic memories I can have and about how I can enjoy it each year in each competition – Conference League, Champions League or Europa League.
“This competition was very fantastic for me and how I learned a lot through Europe, through this competition, through the teams I faced. We won the third Europa League here with Seville. We won here against Liverpool, and it was a fantastic day with memories for me.
“To remember it is really good, but in football I want to build a new moment, a new era, a new way. With Aston Villa, I’m so, so excited playing two years ago in Conference League, playing last year in Champions League and this year playing Europa League.
“It’s very important for our trajectory as a club, for the players’ trajectory and for my own trajectory through this competition. I’m very motivated.
“We are analysing everything – not only the victory against Arsenal, the match we played before against Brighton and the last match we played against Young Boys at home in the Europa League.
“We are trying to analyse not only when we are being successful, playing fantastic, as well when we are losing or when we are winning but not performing like we need.
“In Europe, we are being consistent, but more at home than away. The last match we played away in Europa League, we lost at Go Ahead Eagles.
“I want to remind ourselves of it.
“The most important thing is how we are building the team, how we are achieving in our process during each competition, our stronger mentality in everything.
“Through it, try to show tomorrow how we can compete, how we can continue building our structure with the players in our tactical idea in Europe against Basel, because to play away is always difficult. To play in Europe is always difficult.
“Basel are going to play at home and they won two matches at home in this competition. They are feeling strong through their stadium with their supporters and they will be facing us so, so motivated.”

**Unai Emery, pre-match.**



"I am happy and we knew before the match the difficulties we were facing today. After the last matches, a lot of wars. Brilliant wars for us, after our victory against Arsenal, it is not easy to recover our spirit and structure and mentality to keep the same hard work. We struggled today and the last 10 minutes they were close to drawing but I am happy with how we got this victory. It is difficult to beat them here.
"Our idea at the start of the season was to manage all the players and give them the chance to play and help us. How we are managing it like today, I like how they are responding and how we are building the team with every player.
"It was the plan, to start with Lamar [Bogarde] because they needed fresh legs. Youri can get into the opponent's box and score like he did. Other players as well made an impact. We needed that. We needed them to win duels. In the last 10 minutes, they were pushing and we need our players fighting like they did."

**Unai Emery, post-match.**



"Very pleased. It is a tough place to play. The pitch wasn't the best, and you could see that in our game. I think we could have done better in certain phases of the game, but to come home with a win is really good.
"Very pleased for him [Evann Guessand] and some of the other players who can get goals, it is massive for us."
“I just tried to hit it on target. The space was there for me to shoot it at the first post. The first goal they conceded as well was on that side, and it is everything together.
"Teams are dropping deeper, and to have that space at the edge of the box, I quite like that. We have to carry on and hopefully score more goals from outside and inside the box.
"Where we are now is very good. We have two more games. Two tough games. We just want to win both games and see where we are at. The first two spots would be amazing, but then if not, in the top group and hopefully qualify."

**Youri Tielemans.**



“When Emery arrived at Villa he said he wants the club to play in Europe every season.
“Then it becomes normality and players won't complain about having two games a week.
“It is the best time to be an Aston Villa fan.”

**Villa boy Thomas Hitzlsperger nails it as usual.**