Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has challenged his players to improve and build on their Europa League victory over Bologna on Thursday.
The Claret and Blue claimed their first win of the season in their Europa League opener on Thursday night, defeating Italian side Bologna by a lone goal.
It also marked the first time they had scored a goal at the Villa Park this season, with two previous matches in the league ending without a goal for them.
They began the season with a goalless draw at home against Newcastle United, before suffering consecutive 1-0 and 3-0 defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace respectively.
Another goalless encounter against Everton continued, before they suffered their second loss of the season to Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup, losing via penalty shootout.
However, they finally eased growing doubts and pressure around their performances, defeating Bologna to begin their Europa League campaign on a high note.
Club captain John McGinn fired in the only goal of the game in the 12th minute of the encounter, while substitute Ollie Watkins missed the chance to increase the lead after his second half penalty was saved by Lukasz Skorupski.
Villa will be riding high on confidence after the win and must now build on that performance when they welcome Fulham to the Villa Park in an English Premier League clash on Sunday.
Emery challenges players to build on win
Unai Emery has led Aston Villa to consecutive European campaigns and will be relaxed after getting a first win of the season on Thursday.
However, the challenge remains for his side to improve on their early season performances, if they are to grab an European spot at the end of the campaign.
“At home I felt always here, in three years since I arrived, strong and confident. Creating and building a great atmosphere with energy with the players and supporters and today I felt it again”, Emery revealed after the match.
“Bologna played well, they demanded us a lot, but then we adapted and tried to dominate and I think we deserved the win.
Today we won and it is important we have to try and keep consistent on Sunday. Different match and rival, but a lot of things tactically we have to keep on building”, he added.
“Today this win will help us to try and continue working and being positive, but each match coming is a challenge, to fight to try and prepare as best as possible, be demanding with the players.
“This year I am excited, positive and motivated about the Europa League, but I know how difficult it is to win.”
