Aston Villa boss Emery declares Juventus stalemate as “fantastic”

The Midlands club could only manage a 0-0 draw at home against Juventus in the group stage of the Champions League.

But it puts them in a solid position to qualify as one of the top eight teams from the group stage.

“It was fantastic,” Emery said after the match.

“We needed a game like this, playing seriously with a clean sheet, defending strongly, being compact and then trying to impose and dominate some parts of the game.

“We didn't create many chances, but we didn't concede many chances either. We were closer to a goal and in the second half we got better and better.

“We needed one save from Emiliano, a fantastic save, but even in the last action it is a goal in England, not in Europe. That is the referee's decision.

“The easier interpretation for the referee is a foul, but in England we know that if the opponent does not use his hands to push the goalkeeper or clearly touch him, this is usually fair. We must accept it.

“We have ten points in the Champions League and we enjoyed that at Villa Park. We played a very serious match, a very competitive match against Juventus, with respect for them.

“I think we should continue to enjoy this competition.”