UNAI EMERY didn’t hold back with his tactics during Aston Villa’s 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Villa boss substituted Leon Bailey off the pitch just 33 minutes after bringing the winger on.
Unai Emery made a ruthless decision during Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday[/caption]
The manager hooked Leon Bailey 33 minutes after bringing him on the pitch[/caption]
Bailey had been substituted on in the first half after an injury to Jacob Ramsey[/caption]
Bailey wasn’t happy with the decision but still made a respectful exit from the pitch[/caption]
Bailey had been introduced in the first half after Jacob Ramsey was forced off with injury in the 27th minute.
But after failing to make an impact on the game, Emery had seen enough after just 15 minutes of the second half.
In the 60th minute the former Arsenal boss decided he as going to change things up, hooking Bailey and replacing him with Ian Maatsen.
Bailey had made just six accurate passes during his time on the pitch and had given the ball away twice.
Fans were shocked but ultimately understanding on social media.
One wrote: “Unai Emery brought in Leon Bailey as a forced substitute in first half, and subbed him off in second half before 60 mins. A coach that requires standards”.
While another added: “That’s how you know your manager is reading the game.”
A third commented: “Unai Emery couldn’t stand his performance then got rid of him and rightly so”.
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And a fourth chimed in: “Leon Bailey was poor, not surprised he got subbed off. Even though he came on as a sub.”
Bailey didn’t kick up a fuss when heading off, as players have been known to do in the past, despite being visibly miffed by the decision.
Instead the Jamaican International accepted his fate and shook the hand of the manager as he made his way to the bench.
Emery’s tactics appeared to be working with another tactical change just 10 minutes later making the difference between the two sides.
The 52-year-old brought on Jhon Duran for Ollie Watkins in the 70th minute.
Just nine minutes after the bold change and the 20-year-old Colombian pulled off a wonderful chip to beat Manuel Neuer and secure a mammoth win for Villa over European giants Bayern Munich.
Unbelievably, Villa are now effectively joint-top of the Champions League group phase having won both of their opening two games in the competition.
WHAT HAVE WE JUST WITNESSED
Has Jhon Durán just delivered the moment of the night?!
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Emery made the bold decision to sub Ollie Watkins late in the game[/caption]
It paid off when substitute Jhon Duran lobbed Manuel Neuer just nine minutes later[/caption]
Duran’s goal fired Villa to a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich[/caption]
