Ezri Konsa reveals Unai Emery's half time words as inspired Aston Villa fall just short of Champions League shock

After being 3-1 down from the first leg, Villa conceded two sloppy first half goals and looked to be down and out even after Youri Tielemans had pulled one back late in the first period.

But they flew out of the blocks in the quarter-final clash, with John McGinn's stunner and Ezri Konsa's strike leaving them just one goal from taking it to extra time against the odds.

They had other chances, including a headed chance for Konsa, but they couldn't get that elusive fourth goal on the night and they bowed out.

It was some effort from Villa to push the predicted winners all the way - and Konsa has revealed what Unai Emery said to his players in the dressing room to inspire them to a memorable second half display.

He said: "I'm really proud of the boys.

"The two goals at the start killed us. We showed character and belief to get back in it, we won the second leg, unfortunately it was not enough.

"At half time the message was that we have nothing to lose now, go out there and proved a point and put them under pressure.

"We had chances and I did think I scored the hardest one, but it is what it is, we move on now.

"We thought we were going to get another one, we had them under a lot of pressure, Ian Maatsen had that chance at the end, but I don't think we could have given more."

Attention now turns to the Premier League, as they look to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in two years.

Asked whether that is now the aim, Konsa added: "100 per cent, we showed we can compete at the highest level and we want to do that again."