Emery praises impact of substitutes

Unai Emery praised the impact of Aston Villa’s second-half substitutes, after three of them scored the goals which proved pivotal in a 3-0 victory at Southampton.

Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen and John McGinn all struck in the final 17 minutes at St Mary’s to seal the points for the Villans, making it four Premier League wins on the spin and lifting them to fifth in the table.

Emery lauded the effect they had on the game, and the wider difference in competition levels throughout the squad since the January transfer window.

“Very important,” simply exclaimed the Villa boss, when questioned on their impact.  

“We didn’t achieve a lot of points at the beginning of the season, because we didn’t have enough players in the bench, because they were not fit, because they were injured.

“We joined in the transfer window, four players, really helping and really increasing our competitive way, to get the points we are getting.”

Emery also took the opportunity to thank the travelling Villa faithful for their unwavering support, and was pleased to have been able to send them back up to the Midlands with smiles on their faces.

The Spaniard reiterated his stance on their importance as his side enters the business end of the season - in aiming to once again achieve the Villans' domestic aims.

He added: “Really, I want to enjoy the moment we have, and the matches we are going to face with our supporters.

“Today, they were supporting us here, and really, it’s to be thankful for everybody helping us because the motivation we have through them, we can feel even more, and we can feel stronger in everything.

“Of course, playing tactically, being organised, playing individually with our skills, but as well, with emotions.

“This is really a good momentum for us now, in (the) Premier League, because it’s the main target we have, to try to get through it again, our objective for next year.”