Emery on Coventry win and cup progress

FixturesCoventry City Vs. Aston Villa - Wed, Sep 16 2026, 20:00Unai Emery spoke of his happiness after Aston Villa saw off Coventry City 3-1 to book our place in Round Four of the Carabao Cup. Tammy Abraham’s well-taken brace helped seal victory over the Sky Blues, with Ross Barkley also heading home in the first half to restore Villa’s advantage after Victor Torp’s free-kick had levelled matters. Emery’s side take their place in the Last 16 of the competition and face a trip to AFC Bournemouth, with a spot in the quarter-finals at stake. Next up, Villa travel to Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off aiming to finish on a high heading into the international break. Reflecting on victory at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Emery was happy to see Villa return to winning ways.“We are now competing, trying to get into the direction our objectives,” he told VillaTV. “One of those objectives is to try to build a team, try to get comfortable and get confidence with the players joining us. “And today, I think it’s very important, Taylor’s match, Mbaye’s match and, of course, two goals for Tammy is giving us confidence. “So, this objective today, we did one step forward trying to achieve it. “Of course, we’ll need time with the other players as well being injured or someone, we will need them progressively getting better. “Today, we did one step forward in this direction. “Secondly, to try to compete for a trophy. “This is a way for a trophy; this is as well for Europe. “So, winning this match, we are feeling confident and we’re going to compete in the next match in the next round against Bournemouth away. “We are motivated to try to get those two objectives in our way and today we made progress forward, adding some things tactically, individually as well, individual skills like Mbaye, his speed, Tammy, midfielders, Aaron playing again one match and understanding everything better. “Taylor in his match was fantastic. “And the experienced players like John McGinn and Tyrone Mings, they responded fantastic, Ruggeri as well. “I think it’s good news after the result and, of course, keep going forward.”