After three wins and three clean sheets in their first Champions League season in forty-one years, Aston Villa’s momentum is still growing.
However, manager Unai Emery warned fans not to get ahead of themselves when asked if they should start dreaming big.
With goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran in the second half, his team defeated Bologna 2-0 at a boisterous Villa Park on Tuesday to take the lead in the standings, a position that supporters may not have anticipated when Europe’s top league began.
“In case we are keeping the same (winning) performance we are getting and getting points through it, of course we can change our objective and to be the top eight,” Emery said.
“But I want to feel it is like a natural way we are doing it, and not a surprise, because we are playing good … we are being consistent and we are getting points, and we are feeling comfortable.”
In the new 36-team league phase, the top eight teams automatically advance to the round of 16, while the remaining 16 teams play a two-leg playoff to join them.
With nine games remaining on Wednesday, Villa is the only team with three victories and three clean sheets thus far.
When asked if he was pleased with the clean bedding, Emery responded, “Yes. But most of all for (goalkeeper) Emiliano Martinez, very happy. He’s pushing a lot for clean sheets.
“But really, I think this is the consequence, we were playing seriously, we were playing organised and being disciplined tactically as well.”
Shortly after his acrobatic lunging goal into the bottom corner in the 64th minute, Duran was replaced by Ollie Watkins, who was clearly upset about Emery’s choice as he walked off the game.
The Spanish coach described Duran’s performance that evening as “fantastic” and stated that he had no concerns about the player’s conduct.
“Of course, I am managing everything and the action of the players as well, but we are sending the message in the dressing room, respect our values and try to be mature and responsible.
“Sometimes someone, because he’s not the only one, sometimes they are reacting a little bit, but it’s under my control.”
In contrast, Bologna has one point after two defeats and a draw.
“I was talking to the lads, we all have to give something more, starting with me,” manager Vincenzo Italiano said.
“We need to take care of all the details because we created the chances today and it wasn’t enough.
“If someone thinks they have already given 100%, then they need to raise that a bit more from tomorrow.”
