Aston Villa manager Unai Emery shared his emotions following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Brighton, admitting he couldn't pinpoint the logical reasons behind the team's collapse in the first half.
“We started the first 10-15 minutes very well. Then I can’t quite understand why, in just 20 minutes, we lost the whole match and a player,” said Emery.
The Villa boss emphasised that his side has faced tough moments during his four-year tenure at the Birmingham club, and he remains confident they can overcome the current crisis.
“The response on the pitch in the second half - I’m really happy. The players didn’t give up, they worked hard, showed great commitment and kept fighting,” he added.
When quizzed by reporters about the absence of Ollie Watkins from the squad, Emery dodged a direct response, suggesting the question should be directed at the forward himself:
“That question is for him. You can call him and ask him? I can only respond with silence,” he replied.
Addressing whether the situation indicated a loss of control, Emery responded:
“The players who are here showed their commitment - that’s truly fantastic, and that’s the way forward. Of course, losing is tough, but it’s part of the process.”
In closing, the manager highlighted the need to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes:
“My duty is to analyse things, find solutions, and we have 10 days left in the transfer window to do just that. We certainly have ways to find solutions with the players we have, and we are working on that.”
