Gombau pleased with deserved Youth League victory

Under-21s Head Coach Josep Gombau praised his side’s performance after they recorded their first victory in this season’s UEFA Youth League on Tuesday afternoon.

Aston Villa triumphed 3-1 over Bologna at Bodymoor Heath with a dominant display and well-taken goals from Mason Cotcher and Ben Broggio (2).

Gombau felt the Young Lions deserved their three points, and that they had been a long-time coming, after a positive performance in the last Youth League outing at home to Bayern Munich.

“This is a very good result, and we are happy for the result,” he said.

“I think we played very well, and this first victory came very late, because I think [in] the last game against Bayern Munich, we deserved also to get the three points in that game, but we didn’t.

“Now, today, we put on a performance, and I am happy for the boys, because this win will bring confidence in this competition.

“We had a lot of days to prepare, which is good, because normally we have a very short time to prepare for the game.

“We discussed how we need to play, and that was like how we were playing at home.

“We need to win, we need to have the ball, we need to be the main side here today, and we did it, which is pleasing. I am happy for the boys and for everyone involved.”

Gombau was also pleased by the individual talent on show at Bodymoor, as three well-taken goals secured the points for the Young Lions.

He discussed the need for players to take their opportunities when they come along, but also to keep working hard to ensure their continued progression.

He added: “Football is a collective sport, but also the individuals take priority in the game.

“The players are in a step below from the Premier League, and they need to have quality. For that reason, they are here.

“They need to keep working hard to achieve their dream, to one day play for the first team.

“For us, the results are important of course, because they are part of the development of the players. The important thing, I think, is that we develop these players.

“We are in the academy trying to get these players into the first team and also that they have a value for the club. For us, this is our main job.

“We are working all in line with the first team – the same style, the same structure – so that when the first team and Unai need a player, the player understands what the structure is and the way we do football how we do.”