'Like my son' - Unai Emery laughs off bizarre bust-up after Aston Villa win

The flashpoint occurred in stoppage time during Villa’s 1-0 Europa League win, when Emery shoved and yelled at his midfielder as he was walking off the pitch having been substituted.

Tielemans had been booked for time-wasting just minutes earlier, though the reason for Emery’s anger was not clear.

The manager later gave short shrift to a question about the incident, simply smiling and replying: “He is like my son!”

Emery and Tielemans are understood to have hugged and made-up in the dressing room after the match and though the incident was clearly a talking point, the bigger story was the win which guaranteed Villa’s progression straight through to the competition’s last-16.

Jadon Sancho headed his first goal for the club to earn a deserved victory for the visiting team.

Another win over RB Salzburg next week in Villa’s final group stage match will ensure they play the second match of every knockout round tie up to the final at home.

Emery said: “We can speak about a lot of things. I am so, so happy today. I am happy how we competed and achieved three points.

“We are in the day seven and in the top eight. This competition, we are respecting it and we are getting points.

“There are some circumstances which don't help us, but we are getting balance in everything. We have the last week to complete the structure of our squad and set everyone focusing on the match on Sunday and then Thursday against Salzburg.

“After the window we can focus on the season on the Premier League, Europa League and the FA Cup.”