Every word Unai Emery said about Asensio, Rashford, Chelsea comeback and injuries

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to the media after his side's 2-1 win over Chelsea in the Premier League.

Marco Asensio scored a brace in the second half after Enzo Fernandez's opening goal in the ninth minute. Here is every word Emery said in his post-match press conference...

Unai, your thoughts on the win…

"The last three matches we played at home in the Premier League, we were being demanding about why we weren’t achieving points as our collective performance was not enough to win.

"We analysed the three matches and in the meeting we spoke about our demands and the reality. We identified yesterday how to play today with our objective to improve.

"We started very badly, even worse than the other matches we played here at Villa Park against West Ham, Ipswich and Liverpool. We were upset in the first half how we were not organised to press and recover the ball.

"We got better and created some chances. What we spoke about half time was how we could respond. It was to play with energy because supporters can transmit it and us coaches can demand it.

"On the field, it was up to the players to transmit energy and wish to win. In the second half we did it, but even like that we could have lost it. Konsa made a great save [block].

"We dominated and we were progressing up the field and getting positions on the field to attack them. Really, I am very happy with how we reacted in the second half. We had chances against Liverpool in the last minutes and we didn’t score. Today we did score."

How pleased were you to see your January signings link up for the goals?

"The idea was that when we were signing different players, it was to help us. They have commitment and they are doing the work we need. Tactically as well to get strong. We have to set them a task, but then they have to play with their skill and play, feeling that they can adapt well to our structure. Today was very good in the second half.

"Marco is a very good player as a number 10. He can play in both situations. He can play assisting and scoring goals. Malen as well can be versatile in different positions. He had chances to score against Liverpool and today too. The most important is how they are getting their responsibility in the structure."

How is Tyrone Mings and Morgan Rogers?

"Morgan is playing a lot of minutes because physically he can get it. Today he had a kick and asked me to replace him. Hopefully he can play on Tuesday against Palace."

How hard is it to balance risk and reward by playing so many attacking players?

"It is important if they are getting confidence and comfortable. They are versatile. Marcus can play striker or left side. Malen can play right side and striker. Asensio can play in different positions, Morgan as well.

"It was important how well Bogarde played when he came on for Tyrone Mings and Leon Bailey, who hasn’t been as well liked we wanted, he played 20 minutes and the best 20 minutes of the season. From now until the end of the season hopefully he can get the skill like we need and like he did today.

"McGinn and Youri Tielemans, we have three players out in this position, Onana, Kamara and Barkley. They played fantastic.

"The three points today, we deserved them more or less. Thinking about how we played and how we got the last two matches, overall we deserved it."

You said Villa had to win today…

"The Premier League is our most important competition. The points we lost along the way, we need to recover. There is still an option and opportunity to compete at the end of the season for a European position.

"Winning or losing today was completely different. Why? Firstly, Chelsea was doing a big gap with us and secondly because our confidence could have gone down. Today, our players and supporters, we are a little bit excited with the possibility of being close to the European positions.

"Hopefully at the end of the season we can be close to it. The Champions League will be difficult, but hopefully the Europa League or the Conference League. We have another two competitions where we can be excited."

You must have been very pleased with the mentality of your players?

"The mentality we showed against Ipswich was fantastic. The mentality we showed against Liverpool was fantastic. The mentality we showed today was fantastic.

"The players are being responsible and mature about how we have to work hard to get our high demands. We have done one step forward, playing better and better."

How nice is it to have so many options in forward areas?

"They are versatile players. Malen played right wing and then striker. Rashford is playing left side, but he can do both. Morgan too. It is good to have versatile players and specific players, like Bailey and Ramsey on the left side, Watkins. We have to get 90 minutes with starting players and players coming off the bench making an impact."

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