Unai Emery content with performance as Aston Villa claim welcome win in Lille

An Ollie Watkins’ header secured a slender 1-0 win from the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

Unai Emery celebrated 100 wins as Aston Villa manager with a hard-earned result in France. Pic: Jean-Francois Badias/AP

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery felt his side had delivered the ‘serious’ display he called for after Ollie Watkins’ header secured a slender 1-0 win from the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie.

Emery’s 100th victory in charge came on the back of a determined display at Stade Pierre-Mauroy where Villa had weathered a storm at the end of the first half before making the crucial breakthrough just after the hour.