Unai Emery believes Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was pushed in the build-up to Manchester United's late equaliser at Old Trafford on Sunday. Villa were leading 4-2 when six minutes of added time were announced, and late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu salvaged a point for United.
Although VAR reviewed Dorgu's dramatic equalising goal for a possible foul on goalkeeper Suzuki, the goal was allowed to stand. Emery admitted he was angry when he spoke during his post-match press conference, hinting that the goal should not have stood.
Emery's reaction to the late goals
"Angry? Of course," said Emery when asked how he felt. "How is it to accept to lose in the last six minutes with two goals? It is difficult. Of course, it is a process, and it is a good example. When we are conceding the last goal in this corner, it is adaptation."
"Adaptation to the Premier League for Zion to settle here well. He must try to, because it is not the same timing. Here is not foul. They are pushing, they are disturbing the keeper. Of course, in another countries, another leagues, they are not permitting it. Here, yes. We have to continue analysing, having experiences, and trying to avoid situation like we conceded."
Defending and the final minutes
"And as well defend in some moments we must be more compact. I'm angry, not with the player, not with... I am angry for the situation, how we were winning in the last six minutes in extra time. We were winning, and we lost. We lost, not... we lost the opportunity to have two points more."
He continued: "They did the same as against Roma, because here with the supporters pushing, they were playing with their heart. You can't control it, of course. You could stop them. We did the second half more than less, but the last minutes, when we were close to finish the match, they continue pushing."
Emery on United's league position
The Spaniard was also asked if United were better than their league position suggests. "Yes, definitely, the Premier League is very difficult," he responded. "You must be so, so demanding, but they have the capacity, power, players, everything to overcome this situation."
"And of course, they are another teams performing fantastic, and the last year you can analyse, some teams struggled during the season, Tottenham, West Ham, important teams. Even two years Manchester United, they were in the bottom, they played the final in Europa League. So it is very, very difficult, and you must respect everything, you must compete strong, you must push the players and give them confidence to play with their qualities. A lot of things to work, but of course Manchester United normally they are going to go up."
