AZ Alkmaar 1 Aston Villa 4
When Aston Villa last visited the Netherlands in European competition, it was the most glorious night in their history.
That European Cup win over Bayern Munich in Rotterdam was 41 years ago, yet Unai Emery is now hoping to deliver some memories of his own. Emery completed a year in charge as head coach on Tuesday and this was his vision in high definition, with an irresistible team performance in front of co-owner Nassef Sawiris.
Villa’s 950 travelling supporters never stopped singing, and while Emery has loftier ambitions than winning the Europa Conference League this was a chilling statement of intent.
AZ Alkmaar were semi-finalists in last season’s competition but the gulf in quality was significant, with Emery even resting the likes of Ezri Konsa, Moussa Diaby and Pau Torres. Sawiris was in attendance and, after playing a major role in Emery’s appointment last year, must be feeling incredibly optimistic about the future.
Emery said: “If we want to be a contender in this competition and have possibilities of winning the trophy, we have to show it every day. There has to be high commitment from everyone and we need to change some players because we will need them all this season.
“I am trying to improve and be better tomorrow than yesterday. I am thinking about the process every day and enjoying our way. We were speaking before the match about how important it was, so I am very happy with the players.”
Villa remain the favourites to win this competition and this felt like a huge step towards reaching the knockout stages. They only had to wait until the 13th minute to take the lead, with their first attack. After the home defence failed to clear, the impressive Leon Bailey arrowed a shot past former Brighton goalkeeper Matt Ryan from 18 yards.
Villa extended their lead ten minutes later with Youri Tielemans securing his first goal for the club after a low finish from John McGinn’s pass.
It was all too easy and Ollie Watkins converted from close range early in the second half, seizing the loose ball after Ryan’s save from Bailey. McGinn added the fourth with a clever finish and AZ’s supporters were streaming out the exits en masse.
Those fans missed a fine consolation goal from Ibrahim Sadiq, but Villa were first class in their third-choice kit.
Match details
AZ Alkmaar (4-3-3): Ryan 5; Sugawara 4, Bazoer 4, Penetra 4 (Martins Indi 46), Wolfe 5; Clasie 5, De Wit 5 (Mihailovic 87), Mijnans 5 (Dantas 46); Sadiq 6 (Odgaard 67), Pavlidis 5, Van Brederode 5 (Van Bommel 67).
Substitutes: Verhulst (g), Owusu-Oduro (g), Poku, Goudmijn, Kasius, Goes. Booked: Mijnans, Clasie, Bazoer.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez 6; Cash 5, Carlos 7, Lenglet 7, Digne 6; Kamara 6 (Dendoncker 86), Douglas Luiz 6 (Zaniolo 69); Bailey 8 (Traore 86), Tielemans 8, McGinn 8 (Diaby 81); Watkins 7 (Duran 86).
Substitutes: Olsen (g), Marschall (g), Konsa, Traore, Torres, Chambers, Duran, Dendoncker. Booked: Lenglet.
Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany)
