A crucial win for Villa in the Europa Conference League as Ollie Watkins’ goal secures victory following Diego Carlos’ equaliser
Unai Emery admitted that Aston Villa benefited from a stroke of luck after their dramatic 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar, a result that left them on the verge of securing progression in the Europa Conference League. Ollie Watkins scored the decisive goal, putting Villa closer to qualification.
However, Villa’s comeback was marked by controversy when Diego Carlos equalised after Boubacar Kamara missed a golden opportunity and referee Luis Godinho wrongly awarded a corner to Villa. The game had started with a deserved lead for the hosts, as Vangelis Pavlidis put Alkmaar ahead. Villa now sit second in Group E, just behind Legia Warsaw on head-to-head, needing only one more point from their final two games to advance.
Emery acknowledged the critical moment that led to the equaliser, saying, “Kamara had a fantastic chance, but it wasn’t a corner – it was clear. After this mistake, we scored.” He went on to express his pride in the team’s efforts, adding, “I’m very happy because when we win games like this, we gain a better understanding of this competition and the processes we’re developing.”
He continued: “We’re improving in this competition, and AZ are a very strong team. I’m very pleased with our performance, especially the reaction after they scored.”
Villa started strong, with Clement Lenglet heading in a Leon Bailey cross, although Pavlidis quickly tested Villa’s keeper Emi Martinez. However, Alkmaar grew into the game, and Pavlidis scored six minutes into the second half after a long ball from Riechedly Bazoer caught Villa out.
Despite the setback, Villa responded swiftly. Diego Carlos nodded in Bailey’s corner to equalise. Nine minutes before the final whistle, Watkins scored the winner with a precise header from Douglas Luiz’s delivery, sending Villa to victory.
Alkmaar manager Pascal Jensen expressed frustration with the referee’s decisions, highlighting the errors that led to Villa’s goals. “We were lucky not to concede an early goal, but the disallowed goal was fortunate for us,” he said. “The corner wasn’t ours, they scored from it, and the entire stadium reacted. With all the technology available, mistakes like these shouldn’t happen.”
