Another interminable international break (well done, Ollie), and now another bogey team for Villa. Dunno what it is, but winless in 10 against the Irons since 2015 is something Emery will want to put right, especially given the next three league matches are ones Villa will think they should be winning.
A win’s a win, and it was an important one, but the big thing is that Villa didn’t quit. You could see the frustration, but they resisted thinking “it’s just one of those nights” when it looked for all the world that it was just one of those nights.
Europe comes to Villa Park again tonight with Bosnian side HSK Zrinjski (or Zrinjski Mostar). Like Legia Warsaw they’re off to a good start in their league play and came back dramatically to beat AZ Alkmaar 4-3 in their first group-stage match.
Emery has targeted some kind of success this season, but the Carabao has to be fourth on his list of four priorities.
Now the reality of Europe begins to set in: Between Saturday’s late comeback win against Palace and a visit to Stamford Bridge and struggling Chelsea Sunday, Villa are in Warsaw as the group stage of the Conference League kicks off.
