AZ Alkmaar 1 - 4 Aston Villa (Oct-26-2023) Europa Conference League Highlights

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has challenged his players to "show every day" that they can be a contender after beating AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League.

Villa sealed a comfortable 4-1 victory over the Dutch outfit at AFAS Stadion and they are second in the table at the halfway point of the group stage, level on points with leaders Legia Warsaw

AZ reached the semi-finals of the Conference League last season, losing against West Ham, and are currently second in the Eredivisie, unbeaten in their opening nine games.

Villa, however, made easy work of their trip to the Netherlands as Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn all scored.

"If we want to be a contender we have to show every day and when we are playing those matches, we have to show everybody our wishes. I think we did it," Emery told a news conference.

"We are respecting them because they played in the semi-final last year against West Ham. They won last year against Lazio, they won last year against Anderlecht and it's because they have experiences in European competitions.

"I am very happy with the players because I think they have to be mature, responsible and demanding themselves, not only when I'm pushing them. They have to try to increase their own individual and collective level."

Bailey and Tielemans got Villa off to the perfect start with a goal apiece in the space of 10 first-half minutes.

Alkmaar spurned several good opportunities before the break, included a guilt-edged chance for top scorer Vangelis Pavlidis when he was clear through on goal.

Watkins then further strengthened the visitors' grip on the game early in the second period, reacting quickest to turn home after Bailey's shot had been saved.

Captain McGinn grabbed Villa's fourth when he showed desire to get ahead of his man and poke in at the near post, ensuring it would be a memorable night.

Alkmaar winger Ibrahim Sadiq pulled one back shortly after the hour mark with a pinpoint shot from distance into the bottom corner.

Villa are level on six points along with Group E leaders Legia Warsaw but sit second to the Polish club on head-to-head record after losing 3-2 in the opening encounter of the competition.

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