Unai Emery rages at Aston Villa stars after FA Cup upset vs Stevenage

09 January 2023 , 00:29

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Unai Emery could not hide his frustration as Aston Villa were left red-faced by Stevenage (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery apologised to the club’s supporters following their shock FA Cup exit at the hands of League Two Stevenage.

Morgan Sanson’s first half goal had appeared to put Villa well on-track to victory against the fourth tier side despite a below-par performance. However, two goals in the closing stages of the match completed a remarkable turnaround for the visitors.

Leander Dendoncker was sent-off for Villa as he conceded a penalty which was converted by Northern Ireland youth international Jamie Reid in the 88 ^th minute before his fellow substitute Dean Campbell remarkable won the game for Steve Evans’s side as the match ticked into stoppage time.

Emery, who replaced Steven Gerrard in the Villa Park hotseat earlier in the campaign, said after the match: “I am not a magician to come here and change everything.

“Now it’s fantastic, we got 10 points from 15 available but the last match we played against Wolves I was very, very upset because I was like, ‘Hey, we are starting so quickly again…not doing the tactical or individual demands I want to put out’. And today it was different, completely different.

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“Today we lost and we were totally disappointed. We can be so sorry for our supporters but this can happen when you have chances and don't score. We weren't clinical. This is not for tactically because we weren’t really focused in 90 minutes. No, it was because it can happen when you have chances and moments and you didn’t do it.”

Stevenage players celebrated their stunning late turnaround (PA)

Have Your Say! Was Villa's defeat the biggest shock of the FA Cup Third Round? Tell us what you think here.

When asked if he was unhappy with the team he fielded and the performance of players given a first-team opportunity, Emery added: “It’s not about today looking at one player, this player, one mistake, two mistakes. A mistake in 90 minutes, we can be so, so demanding.

“It’s not only when the picture is clear of the moment when they score the goal. Maybe, the last passes we had chances to create to score we lost it.”

Emery then pledged to Villa fans that he would continue to work hard to deliver results and ensure that the club’s Premier League position continues to improve after a recent upturn in form.

Villa had appeared to be in control of the encounter before the dramatic late turnaround (PA)

It is a result, today, was one match, we can’t think we are better, we are Aston Villa and they are in League Two. Then, it happens the same circumstances but only in a few minutes and we lost it.

“I am upset, very disappointed and sorry with our supporters for this FA Cup because it was a very good opportunity to do something,” he added. “It was a target (to win) as well. I am going to wake up and continue the process. I will be very demanding like I was, maybe more now."

Colin Millar