AZ Alkmaar 1-4 Aston Villa - Unai Emery's side win to move top of Europa Conference League Group E

Yet another tremendous performance from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa saw them beat AZ Alkmaar 4-1 and take control of UEFA Conference League Group E.

Goals from Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn devastated a side who have won eight and drawn one of their nine league games this season, but AZ will still back themselves to qualify; they will not play many sides of Villa’s quality this term.

AZ started the game like a side who’ve taken 25 out of 27 points this season. But save one chance frittered by Vangelis Pavlidis, Villa repelled them confidently enough before they exploded into the game with two terrific goals between the 14th and 23rd minutes. First, Bailey snapped home a half-volley and then McGinn combined with Tielemans, who finished beautifully.

The second half was not dissimilar to the first; if anything, Villa superiority was even more pronounced. On 51 minutes, Watkins tapped home a rebound at the end of a coruscating counter, then on 56, McGinn found a deft, clever finish at the end of another fine move.

Though Villa have now scored four twice in five days, Emery will not let them dwell on their successes. Few value European competition – in all its forms – as much as he does, and he will want to win this competition. His squad look ready.

Often, when teams get good, they overstretch themselves because they build a first team, then a squad – we saw it with Arsenal as recently as last season. Villa, though, are different.

For quite some years now - through Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard - they’ve spent big money on good players, and now they have the perfect manager to take advantage of that.

Emery didn’t work out at the richest clubs he’s managed - Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. But at Sevilla, Villarreal and Aston Villa – man does he love himself a villa – he has moulded a style around players who trust him to make them better.

At Villa, he arrived to find midfield power and attacking verve, so his team play to those strengths – he is not wedded to a style because Villarreal were very different – and are, as they say, “in a good moment”.

Like all teams, Villa have important players they can ill-afford to lose, but given a fair run with injuries, Emery’s ability to rotate quality with quality should allow his team to compete through the season, on multiple fronts.

Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) He does not like being on the bench. Villa's squad-strength means competition for places and everyone wants in. An energetic display in an advanced role, a goal, and plenty of quality contributions.

AZ Alkmaar: Ryan 6, Sugawara 6, Bazoer 5, Penetra 6, Wolfe 5, Clasie 5, De Wit 6, Mijnans 5, Sadiq 6, Pavlidis 7, Van Brederode 5. Subs: Dantas 6, Martins Indi 6, Odegaard 6, Van Bommel 6, Mihailovic 6.

Aston Villa: Martinez 6, Cash 6, Diego Carlos 6, Lenglet 6, Digne 6, Kamara 7, McGinn 7, Douglas Luiz 6, Tielemans 8, Bailey 8, Watkins 7. Subs: Zaniolo 6, Diaby 6, Duran 6, Dendoncker 6, Traore 6.

14’ - GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 0-1 Aston Villa (Bailey) Villa burst into the match! Watkins comes short, lays off, and Kamara lifts a fine pass over the top; a poor touch from Bailey thwarts the move. But Villa keep the squeeze on, the ball bounces up off a defender's heels, and bailey collects then swivels into a glorious hit on the half-volley!

23’ - GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 0-2 Aston Villa (Tielemans) A poor square pass from Se Wit is intercepted by the ravenous McGinn, who punches a lovely pass over to Tielemans on the other side of the box. He does brilliantly to drag it from behind him, on the burst, then slips an assassin's finish through Ryan's legs. Villa have it going on!

25’ - BUT WHAT'S THIS?! Kamara gets caught in possession just outside his own box - it's a good press - the ball breaks to Pavlidis ... and the man with 13 in nine this season opens his body and passes over the top! When it's going for you it's going for you, and it's going for Aston Villa right now.

51’ - GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 0-3 Aston Villa (Watkins) He's done it again and Villa are on absolute flames! A long ball into Watkins who touches off beautifully for Tielemans. He slides in behind for Bailey, who steps over beautifully to allow it into stride, chops inside his man beautifully, and when he curves a low shot that Ryan parries out at full-stretch, Watkins runs in the rebound. Something is happening here!

56’ - LOVELY GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 0-4 Aston Villa (McGinn) Tielemans does brilliantly to come deep, win the ball, turn and send it forward, then Kamara keeps it going, slips outside to Bailey, and his low cross is brilliantly turned in by McGuinn at the near post, on the slide and with the outside of the foot.

65’ - GOAL! AZ Alkmaar 1-4 Aston Villa (Sadiq) AZ hit Sadiq with a long diag and the man making his European debut takes the ball down on his chest then spanks a low finish across Martinez into the far corner! That's lovely to see.

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