Losing to PSG, coach Unai Emery is not discouraged: 'We have faith at Villa Park'

TPO - Despite losing 1-3 to PSG in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, coach Unai Emery still believes Aston Villa can make a difference in the second leg at Villa Park.

Aston Villa made a promising start at the Parc des Princes when Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 35th minute. However, the joy of the English team was short-lived as young talent Desire Doue equalised just minutes later, bringing the match back to a level before the break.

Early in the second half, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia increased the score to 2-1 for PSG after a beautiful combination. When the match seemed to end with a minimal difference, Nuno Mendes unexpectedly scored in the injury time, sealing a 3-1 victory for the home team.

Speaking after the match, coach Unai Emery appeared calm: "Losing 1-3 or 1-2 is the same. We still need to win in the second leg. We played disciplined and tight, but the result was not ideal. However, there are still 90 minutes ahead."

Emery's confidence is shared by his players. Defender Matty Cash said: "The coach said in the dressing room that the game is only half over. We are extremely strong at home and can absolutely score two or three goals in the second leg."

Opener Morgan Rogers showed his determination: "From the start, no one thought Villa could go through. We had nothing to lose - so why not fight to the end?".

Although PSG hold a huge advantage, history still gives hope to the visitors. In the past, nine teams have successfully come back from two goals down in the first leg of an away Champions League tie.

Notably, PSG have also been victims many times, against Chelsea (2014) and Man United (2019). And surely no one can forget the "earthquake" in the quarter-finals in 2017, when PSG beat Barca 4-0 in the first leg but were still eliminated after a 1-6 loss in the second leg.

At that time, Unai Emery was the coach of PSG, and Luis Enrique was the leader of Barca. Currently, Emery and Luis Enrique have switched roles, like a cycle of fate.

However, PSG are still rated higher. They are on a streak of 16 consecutive away wins in all competitions, a formidable achievement.

Former player Stephen Warnock commented: "PSG almost actively 'lured' Villa in the first half, then launched a counter-attack. In the second leg, Villa will have to push up, and that could be a dangerous trap."

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/thua-psg-hlv-unai-emery-khong-mat-tinh-than-chung-toi-co-niem-tin-o-villa-park-post1732406.tpo