Emery hails ‘impeccable’ Villarreal side after Europa League triumph

VILLARREAL manager Unai Emery praised his players after winning the club’s first major trophy by defeating Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday.

The Spanish club won the penalty shoot-out 11-10, after a 1-1 draw at the end of extra-time.

Gerard Moreno and Edinson Cavani scored the goals in a rather drab final before it went to penalties.

Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli scored his side’s 11th kick before making the decisive save, stopping United counterpart David de Gea’s spot-kick.

It was a record fourth Europa League triumph for Emery as a manager, who had won the competition three times with Sevilla.

“In the Europa League we have been absolutely impeccable,” a beaming Emery said during his post-match press conference.

“Since the very first moment. Some days we were coming at 6am to the stadium to prepare a game for the Sunday. All of this makes the journey (worthwhile).

“We were talking about enjoying these moments. In the end you are proud to reach the title (decider) but if you don’t win, you are sad. Winning is another step, an important step ahead. We do this profession for these moments. We have been able to give joy to many people.”

Former Arsenal boss Emery teamed up with Villarreal in July 2020, nine months after he was sacked by the English club following a poor run of results.

His Villarreal side knocked his former club out of this season’s competition at the semi-final stage but Emery insisted he did not see the achievement as anything personal.

He explained: “I insist it is not a sports revenge at all. I try to enjoy every moment, winning and losing. I try to create new circumstances, so everywhere I have been, even in England at Arsenal, I have learned a lot, met many people, other cultures and football.

“At the end of that story was professional frustration, but some other doors opened then. Winning today is a satisfaction, but for my club today, as it was when I was at Sevilla.

“When I was at Arsenal we played a Europa League final and could not win but it is a process, from that game I learned a lot to win this one maybe.”