“I am positive”: Unai Emery backs Aston Villa to shake off rocky start after Bologna win | OneFootball

Aston Villa finally got off the mark this season, beating Serie A side Bologna 1-0 in their Europa League curtain raiser on Thursday night.

John McGinn’s 13th-minute effort from long range was enough to separate the two sides, although Ollie Watkins could have made things more comfortable for Villa, but he couldn’t convert his penalty.

This is Villa’s first win of the season, having previously gone six games across all competitions without victory, including last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland.

However, Emery believes that his side can build on the win and compete for Europe.

“At home I felt always here,” Emery said (via BBC). “Three years since I arrived, we are always strong.

“And confident and creating and building with energy. Today I felt it. If you are not bringing that energy, it is difficult. I think we deserved to win.”

Emery also touched on Watkins’ form. The 29-year-old is going through a goal drought and is yet to open his account in seven games across all competitions this season.

Despite fluffing his lines from 12 yards out, Emery believes that the England international is on his way to recovering the confidence that helped him score 17 goals last term.

“He worked today like he is, and this is the first step to recover his confidence,” Emery said when asked about Watkins’ performance.

“Then he has a penalty, and he created chances too. The most important thing is to recover the confidence and then do his task like he did today, and then he will.”

Villa return to Premier League duties this weekend as they welcome Fulham to Birmingham.

The Lions are winless in their opening five Premier League games (D3), picking up just three points from a possible 15.

Despite the rocky start, Emery insists Villa can achieve a lot this season.

“When I came here, my dreams were to play in Europe,” he said. “We did it in the Premier League when we were in the Conference League, and we got Champions League.

“This year, I am positive, excited and motivated. We know that by being consistent, we can achieve a lot. Hopefully, on Sunday, we can show it again.”