Aston Villa showcased their fighting spirit in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Arsenal, clawing back from 2-0 down to secure a vital point at the Emirates. Unai Emery’s side struck back with well-worked goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins within a 13-minute spell in the second half, proving that resilience and belief can overcome adversity. Emery’s post-match reflections shed light on his team’s mentality and performance under pressure.
“We Showed Resilience”
Unai Emery was full of praise for his players’ character and determination in the face of a two-goal deficit.
“We showed resilience, we showed mentality today. In 90 minutes, we struggled sometimes when they were dominating the match. In some moments we needed to be defensively strong and we needed the goalkeeper, but we had our moments to control the game with the ball, to get into their box and to be close to scoring a goal.”
While it was backs to the wall at times, especially after they didn’t take their earlier chances, Arsenal looked home and dry on the 55th minute, when Havertz added to Gabriel Martinelli’s first-half opener.
Turning Defeat Into Opportunity
Reflecting on the importance of maintaining belief, Emery explained how the team’s mindset shifted as the game progressed.
“At 2-0, it was very difficult. We never gave up and never thought that it was impossible. We were speaking before the match and at half-time about being resilient and that if we could score one goal we’d have possibilities. We showed this mentality, achieved one goal, and continued to try to push for the draw.”
The equaliser came swiftly after the first, with Watkins capitalising on a defensive lapse to volley home an equaliser from an in-swinging left-footed Matty Cash cross.
Staying Balanced After the Equaliser
Even after restoring parity, Villa maintained their composure and sought opportunities to win the game, while also weathering Arsenal’s attempts to regain the lead.
“After it went to 2-2, the mentality was the same: try to defend, try to get our moments, and to score the third goal. They created two very good chances and one at the end with Trossard, and they had some action in our box, but we also had shots from Youri and Lamare with the possibility to score.”
Emery’s tactical approach balanced defensive solidity with an eye for counterattacking opportunities – with Jhon Duran introduced for the final 10 minutes – ensuring Villa stayed competitive until the final whistle.
A Platform to Build On
Added to their win at Goodison earlier in the week, the draw at the Emirates marked a significant improvement in Villa’s away form, which has been inconsistent this season. Emery acknowledged the importance of securing results on the road, especially against top opposition.
The result not only halted Arsenal’s title race momentum but also provided a confidence boost for Villa as they look to maintain consistency and challenge for European qualification. The two positive away results also provide a timely confidence boost for Villa’s upcoming trip to Monaco in the Champions League.
UTV