Unai Emery hails 'fantastic month' after Aston Villa deliver statement win
Unai Emery hailed a “fantastic month” for Villa after they blew away Bournemouth to move back into the top half of the Premier League.
The 4-0 victory was Villa’s biggest in the top flight for nearly two years and after failing to win any of their first five games this season, they have now won five of the next six.
That includes triumphs over Tottenham and Manchester City in what appeared a daunting run of fixtures following the next international break.
And Emery praised his players for raising their game.
He said: “This month was very difficult. We were sending a message inside to increase our demands and our consistency, every day.
“We had intense focus for each match and we did really a fantastic month with the opponents we played. Now, we are getting good balance.”
Emi Buendia marked his return to the starting line-up with a superb free-kick to put Villa ahead, before Amadou Onana doubled the advantage before half-time.
Emi Martinez then stopped Antoine Semenyo from giving the visitors a route back into the match when he saved his penalty, with goals from substitutes Ross Barkley and Donyell Malen helping Villa to cruise home.
The winning margin was their largest in the Premier League since thrashing Sheffield United 5-0 in February, 2024.
Emery’s men have also won all four matches this season which have followed Europa League fixtures.
The boss, who made six changes from the team which started Thursday’s win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, said: “We were managing this week, trying to use different players because we needed energy and we needed fresh legs.
“We played really respecting them, trying to show in our home, Villa Park, our energy and commitment. The players responded fantastically.”
Emery continued: “When we were in a bad moment (earlier in the season) I tried to keep my own balance through work and belief, how we wanted to improve and build up the team.
“Before the last break we achieved some good points, winning against Fulham and Burnley.
“But this month we played in the highest level, against Tottenham away, Manchester City, then Liverpool and against Bournemouth.
“We will rest in the next days and then think about Leeds in two weeks’ time.”
Villa have now won six straight matches at home in all competitions and Emery said: “The players are feeling strong because they know the supporters are helping and creating this energy.”
