Fixtures
- Ajax Vs. Aston Villa – Thu, Mar 7th 2024, 18:45
Unai Emery acknowledged Aston Villa faced a difficult match against Ajax but was pleased to come away from Amsterdam with a positive result.
The Villans and Ajax battled to a goalless draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League round of 16 tie at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Clear-cut opportunities were limited as both sides finished with 10 men, Ezri Konsa and Tristan Gooijer given their marching orders in the latter stages.
The two sides will now meet again at Villa Park in next Thursday’s second leg with a place in the quarter-finals of the competition at stake.
“It was a very tough match, very difficult,” Emery told VillaTV. “It’s always difficult playing in Europe, away as well.
“They have a great atmosphere here with their supporters and we competed.
“We didn’t play well, we didn’t control the game.
“But, of course, it’s a very good result.
“We were planning this match, thinking to play today 90 minutes, but, of course, we knew before it was very difficult to get a result here and take advantage.
“Here they are feeling strong, comfortable and confident to play trying to do something with their supporters.
“And now it’s Villa Park, 90 minutes at Villa Park, of course we have to be ready as well in case of extra-time or a penalty shoot-out because it’s always difficult in Europe.
“Here Ajax, today they showed us their wishes to win, their desire, their commitment to play everybody, very intense, and we’ve faced them today knowing them as well.
“And, of course, knowing and taking experiences of how difficult it is to play in Europe.”
You can watch Unai’s full interview below…
