Unai Emery gave his reaction to Aston Villa’s Boxing Day defeat, as his side fell 3-0 at Newcastle United.
The Villans were made to contest almost an hour with 10 players, following Jhon Durán’s first-half dismissal, with Eddie Howe’s claiming all three points.
Emery discussed a “difficult” afternoon, and how Villa made their task harder by conceding an early goal.
He said: “We started the first 30 minutes conceding one goal. We made a mistake conceding it.
“And, of course, here, to start losing is difficult, but we reacted very well.
“The first 30 minutes, we were more or less feeling comfortable and feeling confidence to continue in our gameplan and try to get something.
“After the red card, it was more difficult, of course. Maybe it’s unfair, the decision. Maybe it is a red card, maybe not, but we have VAR to try to take time with the decision.
“The only person who can take time is the referee, and he decided red card.”
Attention for the Villa boss immediately turned to their next outing, as Brighton & Hove Albion visit Villa Park on Monday, December 30.
Emery’s men will be looking to close out 2024 on a high, and Emery is hoping for another impressive atmosphere on home soil, to help his team bounce back.
“We have to be positive, and we have to understand our way,” the Spaniard added.
“Of course, we are doing this process, and now Monday, we are against Brighton at home.
“The table is very tight, we have a lot of teams within a few points [of each other], and of course, on Monday is our challenge again at home, at Villa Park.
“Try to get the atmosphere we want to try create with our supporters, and play, and to enjoy there, and try to win.”
