Aston Villa's coach made a surprising statement after the loss to Arsenal.

The 1-4 loss to Arsenal in the 19th round of the Premier League was a tough shock for Aston Villa, but post-match, Unai Emery showed composure and stood by his team.

The Spanish tactician suggested that the first goal conceded by the Birmingham-based team might have involved a foul, and he emphasized the key moments that led to Villa's collapse in the second half.

Heading into the away match at Emirates Stadium, Aston Villa carried great confidence following an impressive run, including two consecutive 2-1 wins over Manchester United and Chelsea. With 39 points and sitting third in the Premier League table before round 19, Villa was considered a strong contender to challenge Arsenal in the top group battle.

The reality on the pitch somewhat reflected those expectations. Aston Villa played proactively in the first half, pressed effectively, and prevented Arsenal from creating many dangerous chances. Notably, the home side did not earn a single corner kick in the opening 45 minutes. Villa not only defended solidly but also generated several threatening opportunities, demonstrating the confidence and resilience of a team in good form.

However, everything changed completely after the break. Arsenal scored the opening goal, a situation that Unai Emery believes may have started from a foul. According to the Spanish coach: "The first goal might be considered a foul, but in England, it's more complicated because referees allow contact with the goalkeeper, which is difficult to judge. We have to accept it because this rule applies to both sides."

The first conceded goal was like a heavy blow to Aston Villa’s morale. Arsenal immediately increased the pressure, pushed their line higher, and controlled the game. At the same time, Amadou Onana’s injury struck another blow. Losing a key midfielder caused Villa to lose their ability to contest and shield against Arsenal’s powerful midfield. From that point, the game tilted clearly in favor of the home team, and the subsequent goals came as an inevitable consequence.

Despite the heavy 1-4 defeat, Unai Emery highlighted some positive aspects. He believes Aston Villa should review the match holistically rather than focusing solely on the second half. Maintaining a top-three position in the Premier League after 19 rounds is evidence of clear progress and consistency in their style of play.