Unai Emery reflected on a 3-1 win for Aston Villa over Coventry City in the Carabao Cup.
His side took the lead through Tammy Abraham after a neat through ball from George Hemmings, but Victor Torp took a well-hit free kick to level the scoreline. In the end, a pair of set-piece goals from Ross Barkley and Abraham set apart the two teams and Villa advanced into the fourth round.
‘This is a way for a trophy’
This triumph is second of the season for the Villans after they defeated Club Brugge 3-2 on the opening matchday of the Champions League last week. More members of the squad got a sustained spell of playing time, and Emery hopes that this sets up these individuals to be called upon in future.
“We are now competing, trying to get into the direction our objectives. One of those objectives is to try to build a team, try to get comfortable and get confidence with the players joining us.
“And today, I think it’s very important, Taylor’s match, Mbaye’s match and, of course, two goals for Tammy is giving us confidence. So, this objective today, we did one step forward trying to achieve it.
“Of course, we’ll need time with the other players as well being injured or someone, we will need them progressively getting better. Today, we did one step forward in this direction.
“Secondly, to try to compete for a trophy. This is a way for a trophy; this is as well for Europe.
“So, winning this match, we are feeling confident and we’re going to compete in the next match in the next round against Bournemouth away.
“We are motivated to try to get those two objectives in our way and we made progress, adding things tactically, individually as well, individual skills like Ibrahim Mbaye, his speed, Tammy Abraham, midfielders, Aaron wan-Bissaka playing one match and understanding everything better.
“Taylor Harwood-Bellis in his match was fantastic. And the experienced players like John McGinn and Tyrone Mings, they responded fantastic, Matteo Ruggeri as well. It’s good news after the result and, of course, keep going forward.”
