Emery: We must keep going

Unai Emery felt Aston Villa showed improvement in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Brentford in West London.

The visitors took the lead via Harvey Elliott’s first goal for the club before they were pegged back in the second half of the third round clash.

A penalty shootout went in favour of the Bees, but Emery says his team’s display was a step in the right direction after a tough start to their league campaign.

“We improved things and we scored one goal, which is important as well,” he said.

“We drew but we created chances to win the match. I think we deserved something more – we competed well.

“We used in the starting XI some players who joined us in the last moments of the transfer window. They need minutes to get confidence and feel comfortable in our structure, trying to adapt as soon as possible.

“They played and they performed well. We created chances and in the last minute were pushing to win the match, and I think the spirit we showed today is the spirit I want.

“I’m grateful for the supporters. Their effort was here and they were supporting us. We’re a little bit disappointed, but we have our way and I want to try to get strong in our way.

“Today we lost but I want to keep going, to keep improving things, giving some players minutes we need to add in the squad. We keep going thinking now about Sunderland on Sunday.”

Seven changes in the capital saw Deadline Day signings Elliott and Jadon Sancho make their first starts for the club, with the duo looking sharp in attack.

They’ll hope to build on the outing this weekend with a return to Premier League action against Sunderland next up.

“Harvey Elliott showed his qualities to us and he scored one goal,” Emery said.

“The press we did with John McGinn was really fantastic, and then in 90 minutes we created three or four clear chances and even hit the post with Jadon Sancho.

“I think we’re getting better. There’s still work to do and we’re going to practice, preparing the game on Sunday.

“We have to work hard like we were doing, with the new structure and new players we have who joined us two weeks ago.

“We have to improve and we have to keep the same progression we were doing and showing today.”