Emery Delighted with Villa’s Poise under Pressure in Comeback Win over Everton

Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - September 14, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters
Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - September 14, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters
TT

Emery Delighted with Villa’s Poise under Pressure in Comeback Win over Everton

Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - September 14, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters
Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Everton - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - September 14, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters

A confident Aston Villa remained patient and made no changes in their game plan after going 2-0 down to Everton, manager Unai Emery said after his side pulled off a 3-2 victory at home in the Premier League on Saturday.

Emery, who last season led Villa to their first top-four finish in the league since 1995-96, was happy with his players' response under pressure, as Ollie Watkins scored a brace and substitute Jhon Duran sealed the win with a long range left-footer.

"Losing 2-0, we were playing well and we were dominating, imposing our positioning and creating chances. We didn´t score and we conceded two opportunities to them and they scored," he told reporters.

"The supporters were really, really understanding of how we could come back the result by being patient, playing with our structure and not changing anything."

The former Arsenal and Paris St Germain manager said Colombia forward Duran, who has come off the bench to score the decisive goal for Villa in three out of four league games this season, has a habit of scoring spectacular long-rangers.

"Jhon Duran did it last year. I remember a goal against Liverpool and Ajax. His shooting is fantastic... when he is trying, we have confidence that he can score a goal like that," Emery said.

The Spaniard also praised Watkins, who found the net for the first time in this campaign.

"We have to be proud of our two strikers," Emery added.

Villa will play their first European top-tier match since 1983 on Tuesday, when they visit Swiss side BSC Young Boys to kick off their Champions League campaign.



Macron Wants to Create a National Sports Day as France Bids Farewell to Olympics

Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Marathon - Paris, France - August 10, 2024. Athletes run past the Eiffel Tower during the race. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Marathon - Paris, France - August 10, 2024. Athletes run past the Eiffel Tower during the race. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
TT

Macron Wants to Create a National Sports Day as France Bids Farewell to Olympics

Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Marathon - Paris, France - August 10, 2024. Athletes run past the Eiffel Tower during the race. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Marathon - Paris, France - August 10, 2024. Athletes run past the Eiffel Tower during the race. REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

As France prepares to bid a final farewell to the Paris Olympics on Saturday with a parade on the Champs-Elysees, President Emmanuel Macron announced his intention to create a "national day of sport" every year on Sept. 14.

"We need to come together around a popular sports festival that takes place in the streets, schools, and dedicated sports centres," Macron told Le Parisien newspaper in an interview, Reuters reported.

France already has an annual music festival held on June 21 and known as the "Fete de la Musique", which offers free concerts and allows budding musicians to express themselves.

Some 70,000 spectators are expected to attend a parade of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, volunteers and public sector workers from 1400 GMT on Saturday which will be followed by a free open-air concert on the Place de l'Etoile, home to the Arc de Triomphe monument.

After the parade, which takes place nearly a week after the end of the Paralympics, Macron will decorate many of France's medal winners with the country's top award, the Legion d'Honneur.

Around 4,000 police will be on duty, with security services facing one final test after making the Paris Games safe for thousands of athletes and their 12 million spectators.

The French team finished with a record medals haul of 64, including 16 golds, securing fifth place on the table.