A 2-0 loss to Wolves at Molineux on Saturday was the latest chapter of a story that Aston Villa fans have known all too well this season: failing to pick up points in the Premier League following midweek success in the UEFA Champions League. The Villains were only able to take all three points once in any of their 8 fixtures that followed their participation in UEFA’s top club competition – which was the reverse fixture between the clubs in Villa’s 3-1 win at Villa Park in September.
On the back of their 4-2 win against Celtic on Wednesday, Aston Villa started slowly once again and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde gave Wolves the lead after 12 minutes. Villa were fortunate to go into half-time trailing by just one goal and it seemed that Unai Emery agreed, opting to make 4 changes at the break.
January signing Donyell Malen was one of those subs brought on by Emery and it appeared that his decision paid off after he finished off a clever free-kick routine at the back post – however, Morgan Rogers was adjudged to have been offside in the build up despite not touching the ball. Matheus Cunha sealed victory late on as Wolves came away with a 2-0 win.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Emery made reference to the decision as well as missed chances when citing reasons that played a part in their defeat at Molineux.
“We created some chances with [Leon] Bailey and [Donyell] Malen as well; we created two, three four chances to score but we didn’t.”
“We had a refusal from VAR for the action and it’s difficult to accept it. Those circumstances were punishing us and at the end, they scored the second goal and we lost,” he accepted.
It would have been frustrating for Villa fans to see the team once again unable to reach the same levels that they set midweek in the UEFA Champions League, but none more so than it would be for Unai Emery. He confirmed that his squad know:“our challenge is to try and be consistent like we are in the Champions League and try to get our performances in the Premier League.”
“In the Champions League, we are performing very well and being consistent and we wanted to be in the last 16.”
“Always my message is that through the Premier League we are going to get our target, but it’s very, very difficult to be consistent in the Premier League with the teams and the good coaches they have.”
Following their finish in the top eight of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Aston Villa automatically qualified for the last 16 meaning that their participation in Europe can be put to one side until action in the knockout rounds begin in March.
For now, Villa’s focus will turn to their participation in the Emirates FA Cup as they’ll be hosting Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday. Their return to Premier League action will be the following Saturday, when the aim will be to get back to winning ways against Ipswich Town.