Unai Emery downplayed a tense moment with Youri Tielemans after Aston Villa’s Europa League win at Fenerbahce. The Villa manager reacted angrily after substituting the midfielder late in the match, but later brushed off the incident with humor. Villa protected a narrow lead in Istanbul and still secured a crucial European victory.
Tielemans left the pitch in the 92nd minute as Villa defended a 1-0 advantage. He jogged toward the touchline and reached out to shake Emery’s hand. Emery reacted animatedly and pushed Tielemans in the chest. Cameras captured the exchange, which quickly drew attention.
Emery Plays Down the Incident
Emery spoke calmly about the moment after the final whistle. He smiled while addressing the situation during his interview with TNT Sports. “He’s my son,” Emery said, dismissing any suggestion of conflict. His response suggested familiarity rather than frustration.
Villa’s win confirmed their place in the Europa League last 16 with one game remaining. Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for the club to seal the result. The victory continued Villa’s strong European campaign under Emery.
Pundit Raises Concerns Over Optics
Former Villa defender Joleon Lescott offered a more critical view while analyzing the exchange. He said the moment might look harmless, but he disliked its appearance. Lescott stressed that reactions depend heavily on perspective.
He explained that criticism would follow if a player refused a manager’s handshake. Observers would question the player’s mentality and professionalism. Lescott added that the situation likely looked worse than it truly was, but still felt uncomfortable watching it.
Emery Eyes More European History
Emery marked his 100th Europa League match as a manager during the win in Istanbul. He already holds the competition’s record with four titles. The Spaniard admitted he continues to dream about lifting the trophy again.
