Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he is “confident” his team can turn their fortunes around after a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday compounded a miserable start to their Premier League season.
In a repeat of April’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, Emery’s side were undone by the eventual winners at Villa Park on a night that saw goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi and Ismaila Sarr secure the points for Oliver Glasner’s men.
The result piles further misery on Villa after what has been a disappointing start to the campaign; one that has seen them become the only top-flight club to have not scored in their first three outings.
It means Emery’s side, who finished sixth last term, reached the last eight of the Champions League and will play in the Europa League this season, currently find themselves second bottom in the table going into the international break next week.
Asked for his post-game assessment, Emery told Sky Sports: “[I am] frustrated but we played the first half well. We followed the game plan we were expecting and we were dominating the match.
“We had one really good chance with Ollie Watkins. But we were dominant. We didn’t concede corners, we were avoiding the transitions.
“We made one mistake with the penalty and it was a goal. And of course after that it was more difficult.
“I think we started the second half very well. After their second goal maybe it was more difficult but the first half and the 20 minutes of the second half, I can’t do anything.”
The Villa boss admitted he felt for the fans during this difficult period but believes his players will put their challenging start firmly behind them when they return to domestic action against Everton on 13 September.
“Of course we are frustrated, we are sad for our supporters, but we have to accept it. We have to be together,” Emery said.
“In the good moments we were enjoying it, we were happy. Now, we started badly the first three matches [of the season] but tomorrow is the 1st of September, the end of the transfer window and I am confident for the next matches after this break.”
