Speaking to reporters after a comprehensive victory at Ashton Gate, Emma Hayes praised Bristol City but expressed how pleased she was with her side’s performance. Having handed Maika Hamano and Hannah Hampton their full debuts, the boss was also asked for her thoughts on how they’ll slot into the team.
‘I think we will [phase Maika Hamano in]. It was also a debut for Hannah [Hampton] today so it was nice to get two young players in and by the end there were a lot of young players on the pitch. In general, the perfect moment for Maika!’
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Carla Ward’s Aston Villa desperate to secure an emergency goalkeeper loan, many expected Hannah Hampton to return to the Poundland Bescot Stadium given her familiarity with the rest of the Villa squad.
‘I’m sure Villa would have liked to have had Hannah,’ explained Hayes, ‘but Hannah was playing [for us] this week’
‘I thought we were clinical, ruthless when it mattered and we controlled the game. [Bristol City] are a very aggressive, very resilient team. They adapted their shape and we then adapted around their block to sort of keep control of the game.’