Emery relieved as Villa use European experience to see off Maccabi Tel Aviv
Aston Villa continued their strong home run with another Europa League victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Unai Emery was delighted to see Aston Villa draw on their previous continental experiences as they continued their strong start in the Europa League on Thursday.
Villa saw off Maccabi Tel Aviv with a 2-0 win at Villa Park, making it three wins from four games in the competition, after a surprise 2-1 defeat to Go Ahead Eagles last time out in Europe.
Ian Maatsen's opener on the stroke of half-time and a Donyell Malen penalty did the damage, and Villa would have had a third if not for fine work from visiting goalkeeper Roi Mishpati.
Emery believes his side are using their learnings from their Conference League campaign two seasons ago as Villa become a more fine-tuned team against continental opposition.
"We were playing solidly and playing seriously. We conceded more chances than we planned," Emery told TNT Sports.
"They needed to get something here and they played very focused. Overall, we dominated.
"We used our passion and our experience in Europe. Here at home in the Conference League two years ago, we have the experience and try to understand the difficulties.
"Do not be frustrated, try and use it to be passionate. It was coming in the second half.
"Very good because we need players who are scoring goals. Malen is scoring, [Ollie] Watkins is scoring and Maatsen is adding his quality in the opposition box and scoring goals."
Malen’s penalty for Aston Villa was his 16th goal overall in major European competitions (eight for PSV, seven for Borussia Dortmund, one for Villa), however, it was his first not from open play.
Morgan Rogers teed up Maatsen's opener and now has 16 open-play assists in all competitions in the last two seasons for Villa. The only Premier League player with more in that time is Mohamed Salah (25).
The duo helped Villa continue their strong run at home, where they have lost just one of their last 28 games across all competitions (W20 D7), winning each of the last five in a row.
"It was clear we needed to win today with the table and how it's going. We made it work today and got the three points," Villa's stand-in captain Ezri Konsa added.
"It's always nice to lead the team out. It's a role I've always wanted to do. We got a great captain in John McGinn. When he's not on the pitch, I've got to take responsibility.
"Since he's [Emery] come in, I've understood football more and looked at it differently in terms of my playing style. I've really enjoyed playing under him and long may it continue.
"Every team in the competition wants to go far. Our goal is to win it like everyone else."
