Unai Emery felt Legia Warszawa exemplified the tough challenges that Aston Villa will face in the Europa Conference League this season.
The Polish side triumphed 3-2 in the Group E opener on Thursday night – despite Villa fighting back to level the scores on two occasions.
Emery wanted more from his side in the face of a fiery atmosphere at Legia’s stadium.
“I’m disappointed. The match was tough, and we knew it would be before the match and we were speaking about the matches they were winning at home.
“We didn’t respond in the first half. We reacted very well after their goals but, again, in the second half they scored.
“We had chances at the end of the match and maybe we didn’t deserve to lose the match. The atmosphere they created here was a very good example of how difficult it’s going to be in the Conference League.
“I want the same wishes and desires away with our supporters as when we are playing at home. We have to react in the next match at home and we have to react as well against Legia Warszawa when we play them at home.
“This is the start and the first step to think about how difficult it is to play in Europe.”
Villa showed plenty of character to come from behind twice, with Jhon Duran and Lucas Digne getting on the scoresheet.
And Emery says it will take time and hard work for every player in the squad to understand the structures he has put in place.
He said: “We are trying to build a team, to build a strong structure; we are in this process and we have to use different players in different competitions, trying to get everybody in the same tactical way.
“We have to be stronger; we have to try to avoid the chances we conceded to the opponent like we did tonight.
“That is the work we have to face.”
