Unai Emery Calls for Respect After Aston Villa's Commanding Victory Over Bologna
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has issued a strong call for respect following his team's impressive 3-1 away victory against Bologna in the Europa League quarter-final first leg. The win at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Thursday night gives Villa a significant advantage heading into the second leg at Villa Park next week.
Villa's Strong Performance Secures Crucial Lead
Goals from Ezri Konsa and a brace by Ollie Watkins ensured Villa took a commanding two-goal lead into the return fixture. This result puts Villa in a favorable position to advance to the semi-finals of the Europa League, marking a potential milestone in their European campaign.
Despite the positive outcome, Emery expressed that his team was not at their absolute best during the match. He acknowledged that while the first half performance was lacking, the second half saw a fantastic 30-minute spell that ultimately secured the victory.
Emery's Emphasis on Respect and Focus
The Spanish manager stressed the importance of showing respect to Bologna in the upcoming second leg, emphasizing that the job is far from complete. "The match is not over and the second leg is going to be very important at Villa Park," Emery stated. "They are a team who were winning against Roma and it's a team that is so, so competitive. They will not be giving up."
Emery also praised the traveling Villa supporters, highlighting the crucial role they played in the away victory. "There were 2,500 supporters here with us and we were feeling them supporting us, following us and helping us," he said. "Our responsibility is to try and get a good result through playing well."
Looking Ahead to the Second Leg
With the second leg scheduled at Villa Park, Emery emphasized the need for continued support from the home fans. "We're going to respect them at Villa Park. I want to enjoy the momentum with our supporters," he added. "We will need them, supporting, helping and keeping balance. The round is not over, even with this result we have: 3-1."
The manager's message is clear: despite the strong position, Villa must remain focused and respectful of their opponents to secure their place in the Europa League semi-finals.
