Unai Emery swore on TV when asked about Aston Villa’s first half but it always helps to have quality options if Plan A doesn’t work out.
Villa’s first test of juggling a midweek Champions League game with the Premier League wasn’t going well when they trailed at half-time to Wolves.
In response, Emery sent on 2024 Champions League finalist Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey, followed by supersub Jhon Duran and Ross Barkley — capped 33 times by England. Goals from Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Duran in the last 20 minutes then pushed Villa into a top-four spot.
Maatsen, who played for Borussia Dortmund last season, was snapped up in the summer and epitomises Villa’s strength in depth, competing with Lucas Digne at left back.
‘It’s been difficult not starting but there will be opportunities and I have to be ready,’ he said. ‘The manager said, “Just enjoy it and try to change the game”.
‘The strength of our squad is good. We push each other. This was my turn to come on and make an impact. I’m trying to show the quality I have. There are a lot of games and a lot of fresh energy off the bench. Everyone is capable of scoring.’
Duran’s record of four goals as a sub this season speaks for itself. Barkley, 30, also has a role to play after John McGinn came off at half-time with a hamstring issue. Both Maatsen and Barkley should start in the Carabao Cup at Wycombe tomorrow.
On Barkley, signed from Luton, Emery said: ‘I am very happy with him. He has started the season very well. I know what I want from him to improve us. The demands now are more than last year. We want to be competitive in the Champions League and also other competitions. We can be consistent with the players in our squad.’
Emery also has the tantalising option of pairing Watkins with Duran. Duran played a part in the England striker’s equaliser.
Wolves boss Gary O’Neil would love those luxuries. He would have been frustrated to do so well for an hour, scoring through Matheus Cunha, and end up with nothing. They are joint-bottom and face losing defender Yerson Mosquera for a period after he was carried off with a knee injury.
‘We have played a lot of teams who are going to finish very high up,’ said the manager. ‘We have to outperform the odds to get something. We haven’t managed to do that yet but the group are resilient and ready to go again.’