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BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 09: Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Bologna FC 1909 and Aston Villa FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 09, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Unai Emery was measured and respectful in his post-match assessment after Aston Villa secured a commanding 3-1 victory at the Renato Dall’Ara, candidly admitting his side were second best for long periods of the first half while defending the state of Italian football against what he considered an unfair narrative.
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The Villa manager made no attempt to overstate his side’s dominance, acknowledging that the scoreline at half-time somewhat flattered the visitors.
“Bologna did better in the first half, we were too timid, sat too deep and tried a lot of long balls to find Watkins without getting the game where we wanted,” he told Sky Sport Italia.
“At the same time, we allowed Bologna very few shots on target. The result was good at half-time even if we felt we didn’t particularly deserve to be in that position.”
The second half, however, was a different story.
“It went much better after the restart, we were looser, more fluid and managed to score two more goals,” Emery said.
Emery: ‘No crisis in Italy, the clubs are very good’
He was quick to caution against complacency ahead of next week’s second leg at Villa Park, however.
“We must not rest on our laurels. We have seen Bologna overturn big results before and can take nothing for granted. They are very good on their travels and we have the utmost respect.”
Asked about the wider crisis engulfing Italian football following the World Cup elimination, Emery pushed back firmly.
“I don’t agree there are problems,” he said.
“In recent years Inter played two Champions League finals, Atalanta won it, Fiorentina and Roma played Conference League finals and won one. It is true Italy did not qualify for the World Cup, but their clubs are very good, Napoli, Roma, Inter, Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, Bologna. I have the utmost respect for Italian football. I also learned a great deal from Italian coaches like Gasperini and his 3-5-2, the same system that allowed Inter to have such success.”
Emery also addressed the subject of Donyell Malen, the Roma forward who left Villa Park in January and has since impressed in Serie A.
“It was a good agreement for him and for us,” Emery explained.
“He wanted to play as a centre-forward but we had Watkins, so there wasn’t much playing time available. I wanted to keep him, but he had this opportunity at Roma. I am pleased he is doing well, I think he can have a great career there.”
