Unai Emery criticized Aston Villa players for laziness and lack of fight.

Unai Emery's Anger at Aston Villa Players

According to The Sun: Unai Emery expressed his dissatisfaction with his 'lazy' Aston Villa players, accusing them of lacking fighting spirit.

Matty Cash finally scored when Sunderland was down to ten men, but Villa couldn't celebrate a victory as Wilson Isidor denied them that opportunity.

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Emery did not hide his anger, saying: “We are not playing the way I want.”

“Of course, we need to adapt some players. We need time with them, but other players know how we want to control the game more with the ball than without it.”

“We conceded too many pressing situations. Chances started from their goalkeeper, a long ball, a second action, a throw-in, a corner - and of course, we missed opportunities.”

“It started with the goalkeepers. And why? Because we did not control the game with one more player: we did not make passes and did not choose the right moment to attack. We did not do that.”

“Sometimes in defense we were truly lazy. Lazy. For example, when we concede, we were lazy.”

“Maybe it's a consequence: we do not feel dominance, we do not feel like we are playing in our style.”

Emery, whose team will next play against Bologna in the Europa League, added: “Usually players have the right mentality. But sometimes, maybe, they are a bit upset or do not feel well, so they do not fight.”

“That’s not something I can tell them individually as a punishment. It’s something collectively we have to try to understand and try to feel better.”

“I am not disappointed and upset about the result today, I am disappointed and upset about how we played and how we do not feel comfortable in our style.”

“We need to try and restore our identity.”

Response from Sunderland Coach

Meanwhile, Sunderland coach Regi Le Briis expressed pride in his team, which managed to recover after two setbacks: a red card for Reinildo Mandava and a goal conceded.

He believes that gaining a point is more important than their two previous victories over West Ham and Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

Le Briis said: “The value of this result is very important because today we had a different experience.”

“We started very well 11 against 11, we were in our strategy, well-connected with opportunities and in good shape.”

“Then the red card happened - but the team reacted very well. It was important to keep the score at 0-0 and then at halftime, we decided on a new strategy.”

“They handled the deep block very well, and it turned into a set-piece game. After we conceded, we reacted well again. The way we want to play together, react and endure, we knew it would be frequent.”

Le Briis did not confirm whether a penalty would be imposed on the aging summer signing Reinildo, who is contesting the suspension.

“But we must respect the decision. Absolutely, I am upset.”

“Granite Xhaka talked in the locker room about these red cards. He has experienced this earlier in his career, so this can happen.”

“The main point is the score and the opportunity to gain a point today.”

In the match between Aston Villa and Sunderland, where neither opponent could find a winner, Unai Emery lost patience with his players, pointing to their lack of fighting spirit. At the same time, Sunderland's coach was pleased with the recovery of his charges after difficulties. This game became an important lesson for both teams as they need to improve their gameplay and prepare for winning results.