Big wins in Europe for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace; 45-yard own goal gifts Forest draw

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports, per BBC Sport’s live blog: “Happy yes, but we are trying to get balance in everything. We played the first leg here and won, and it is a fantastic result. How we did the 90 minutes, I can feel more or less good for some things and not too good for the others. A good result but we still have the second leg to play.

“First half we were a bit shy. We needed to try to do more passes, to get better positions in the attacking third but we were losing the ball easily. We were not conceding a lot but with a few moments we conceded.

“Set pieces are always important but today it was our priority defensively and offensively because we knew before the match that it would be one way to try to get something. In the first half we scored one goal, other chances as well.

“The result was much better than the match we played in the first half, but in the second half it was completely different. We dominated them and controlled the game like we planned to in the first half but we didn’t do, and we were feeling comfortable. We reacted well offensively when they scored.

“In the second leg they are going to try to supress us and my message inside the dressing room is to keep playing the second leg with the same plan, well with the new plan we will have, but keep respecting them.”

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins speaking to TNT Sports:

“It could’ve been different. They had a disallowed goal and if that turns and it was 1-0 and stayed that way it would’ve been a long way back for us. We got lucky. They played tough today.

“We got the goal from the set piece and that kind of took the sting out of the game. They were dominant before that, but just before half time is a great time to score. We got the second after half time and then we felt we always were going to score more.

“Back end of the season I’m raring to go. I could play another 90 minutes. I’m excited for the next few games. I’m hungry.

“Their winger was causing problems tonight. Great finish for his goal and at 2-1 it’s all to play for. That other goal, taking a 2-0 lead back to Villa Park, makes it tough for them.

“We have to play like that very game. Like against West Ham [before international break] we played well. We have to keep pushing, everyone around us is winning. We’re in a great spot at the end of the season and it’s all to play for.”

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: “A good result in my opinion. To face two competitions we need to play with everyone. The players that started today did good work. In the end, 1-1, the game is open to play at home and decide qualification.

“Porto playing at home are a strong team. They have momentum with supporters. Forest I try to balance the two competitions, it was very clear we played with nine different players to the last game. I think we did well. The players tried everything. 1-1 is a good result and playing at home we will see what we can do.”

On Forest’s disallowed goal: “It is better to keep the opinion with me.”

On his squad depth: “The first two subs we did I was thinking about the next game against Villa. It’s very important for us to get points in the league and this is the only way.”

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates, speaking to TNT Sports: “We’ll take it. Back to the City Ground, everything to play for. It’s going to be a good game.

“I felt it was a really tactical game, they had spells on the ball, we had to be disciplined, defensively organised. It was a fair result in the end. I think we could have played better, there are things to improve upon. They have won every game here all season in the Europa League, so it cant be too bad.”

On how this can help Forest in their remaining games: “We have a massive game on Sunday in the Premier League. Full focus on that, but there’s something special about European games at the City Ground.”

On sharing these moments with the travelling Forest fans: “It’s magical, the support is incredible. This journey we are on in Europe is special and as you can see they are enjoying it and so are we.”

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaking to TNT Sports: “More importantly for me was the performance, in the first half and then let’s say the last 20 minutes. Brilliant, fantastic performance, great pressure, playing well and always attacking the box, the balls in behind. We knew that they are very compact but we were going in behind and creating so many chances which was great to see.”

On what he was frustrated about on the touchline: “We lost the ball too easily and quickly, the game was too wild it was up and down, when you are 2-0 up you should get more control. We had four or five easy ball losses and that gave the momentum to Fiorentina. I was pleased to see we didn’t get frustrated against a very good team from Italy, kept our heads up and knew we could get the momentum again. In the end we were really close to scoring the fourth goal and it was a great performance.”

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards speaking to TNT Sports: “Whenever you keep a clean sheet, it helps everyone. The guys up top always help out the team and to get three goals is great. We could have scored more.

“There were a lot of tired legs out there and it worked out towards the end. It’s fun in the dressing room right now. It was good for everyone to be back with each other [after the international break]. It is light but we know that we have a big game on Sunday [against Newcastle] and obviously next Thursday.”

On how far Palace can go: “Of course we want to get to the final but we understand that there is another leg to play and we have to get the job done.”

On manager Oliver Glasner: “He has given us confidence since he has come into the club. With the trophies we won last season, the players have confidence. We want to win trophies at this club.”