Aston Villa secured a 2-1 victory over Basel in their recent Europa League match, with Unai Emery expressing his satisfaction with his team's desire and performance. The match, held at St. Jakob-Park in Basel, saw Villa extend their winning streak to eight games across all competitions.
The game started with Aston Villa on the front foot, Evann Guessand opening the scoring in the 12th minute after a scramble following a corner. Basel responded in the 34th minute when Flavius Daniliuc headed in Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick, leveling the score.
In the second half, Youri Tielemans, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 53rd minute. His well-placed shot from just outside the penalty area found the bottom corner, restoring Villa's lead.
Emery acknowledged the challenges of playing away in Europe and praised Basel for their strong home record. He emphasized the importance of building a strong mentality within the team and maintaining high standards both on and off the pitch. "The most important thing is how we are building the team, how we are achieving in our process during each competition, our stronger mentality in everything," said Emery. He also lauded his players for taking responsibility after a poor start to the season.
Tielemans' impact was particularly noteworthy, with many considering him the man of the match. Beyond his goal, he controlled the midfield, completing a high percentage of his passes and winning all of his duels. Emery's decision to bring him on as a substitute proved to be a game-changer.
The victory was hard-fought, with Basel posing a significant threat, especially in attack. Villa's defense had to withstand considerable pressure, particularly from Shaqiri, who was instrumental in Basel's attacking plays.
This win marked Aston Villa's eighth consecutive victory in all competitions and further solidified their position in the Europa League standings. It also marked the first time since 2015 that Basel had been defeated at home in the Europa League, snapping a 10-game unbeaten run. Villa's ability to break down Basel's home fortress was a testament to their determination and tactical execution.
Emery made several changes to the starting lineup for this match, with players like Donyell Malen and Jadon Sancho getting opportunities to showcase their abilities. While Sancho's performance was underwhelming and led to a visibly frustrated reaction when he was substituted, the changes demonstrated Emery's trust in his squad and his willingness to rotate players to maintain freshness.
Looking ahead, Emery stressed the need for continuous improvement and maintaining high standards. He wants the team to continue building their emotional structure and strengthen their mentality as they progress through the season.
