Unai Emery felt Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers was a fair result following an improved second-half performance from his side.
Substitute Danny Ings converted Villa’s deserved 78th-minute leveller, controlling Tyrone Mings’ throughball before firing past Jose Sa.
His seventh Premier League goal of the season cancelled out Daniel Podence’s early opener, while Villa almost won it in injury time when Leon Bailey fired off target having rounded Wolves goalkeeper Sa.
But the spoils were shared as it finished honours even between the midlands neighbours at Villa Park.
Head coach Emery told VillaTV: “The first half we were very, very upset because we didn’t play like we usually play.
“Wolverhampton were very good in the centre of the pitch; we didn’t control the match with good positioning or ball possession.
“We started with a very good chance for Leon Bailey, it was good.
“But then they created more opportunities around our box and we were losing, it was fair.
“In the second half we came back, with our supporters pushing, playing with heart.
“And then, not like I want - playing with control, ball possession and good positioning - we came back and we were playing very good; with heart, with our supporters.
“And I think it’s good as well, to try to play sometimes like that.
“We drew and we had a last chance with Leon, an opportunity to win the match, but I think, at the end, the result is fair.”
Devastated Jamaica international Bailey was inconsolable at the full-time whistle having seen his golden injury-time opportunity go the wrong side of a post.
But boss Emery had plenty of praise for the Villa forward after the match.
“He was feeling (it),” added Emery.
“He had the responsibility to score. We were speaking about against Liverpool he had three very good chances to score and to win the match.
“And on Sunday (against Tottenham Hotspur) he worked a lot, defensively as well.
“But every player, offensively, they have to be brilliant when they’re scoring, like here for example with Dany Ings.
“But when he had the last chance to score, he finished the match crying because he’s feeling (it).
“And when he’s feeling, I think it’s good.
“I’m so happy with his commitment, his idea to try and help the team, playing as a striker, as a winger like the second half.
“He did really good work and only missed his last chance to really help us win it.”
