Villa looked destined to secure all three points after building a 4-2 lead, but late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu, who scored in the 96th minute, rescued a point for Michael Carrick’s side. Reacting to the result, Emery admitted that it was difficult to accept conceding two goals so late in the game, particularly after his team had worked hard to put themselves in a winning position. Speaking afterward, he said,
“It’s difficult to accept this result because we were winning 4-2 in extra-time and how we conceded two goals is really painful.”
Emery also insisted that his frustration was directed at the situation rather than his players, stressing that the team must learn from the experience and improve their concentration in crucial moments.
The Villa manager was visibly frustrated after Dorgu’s late equaliser and walked down the tunnel before the final whistle. He later explained that he believed the match was effectively over because United scored in the 96th minute, with six minutes of added time initially indicated.
