Aston Villa’s Manager Dismisses Sideline Dispute with Tielemans

Heated Moment During Europa League Victory

Aston Villa’s coach, Unai Emery, dismissed a tense exchange with Youri Tielemans that occurred after the midfielder was substituted late in the team’s Europa League match against Fenerbahce on Thursday. The match, held in Istanbul, ended with Villa securing a narrow 1-0 victory, ensuring their progression into the last 16 of the tournament.

During the second minute of stoppage time, Tielemans was taken off the field. As he exited, Emery did not acknowledge him with a handshake and reportedly pushed him as he made his way back to the bench.

Emery’s Lighthearted Response

When asked by TNT Sports about the incident, Emery commented humorously, stating, “He’s my son. He’s my son.” This light-hearted take contrasted with the heated moment on the pitch.

Despite the sideline drama, it was a successful evening overall for Villa, highlighted by Jadon Sancho scoring his first goal for the club. The forward, who is on a season-long loan from Manchester United, found the net in the 25th minute after connecting with a deflected cross from Matty Cash.

Injury Concerns for Villa

Emery faced several challenges with injuries affecting key players, notably captain John McGinn and defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara. Goalkeeper Marco Bizot made several crucial saves in the second half to maintain the team’s lead, while Morgan Rogers had a goal canceled out. The visitors were also spared as a Kemer Akturkoglu equalizer was disallowed by VAR, securing the points for Villa.

Emery’s Focus on Team Performance

“The most important thing today was to compete like we did, to feel good playing in our style,” Emery stated after the match. He emphasized the team’s strong defensive performance and their need to convert scoring chances into goals, noting that they had opportunities to secure a second goal. Emery expressed satisfaction with the victory, particularly in light of a difficult previous match and the upcoming fixture against Newcastle.

He remarked on the significance of the Europa League for the team, highlighting their entry into the top eight and the importance of further strengthening the squad in the winter transfer window.

Mings Returns to Action

Tyrone Mings made his return to the lineup after recovering from a thigh injury, contributing to Villa’s clean sheet. Emery praised Mings for his intelligence and performance, particularly after being sidelined for two months, stating, “He needed to show like he did his comeback, playing and getting the commitment.”