Unai Emery praises star's 'positive' attitude after crucial Aston Villa cameo

The Netherlands international made a big impact just seconds after coming off the bench when he set up Leon Bailey for Villa’s 76th minute winner.

Maatsen became one of the most expensive signings in Villa’s history when he joined in a £37.5million deal from Chelsea last summer, largely due to the impressive form of team-mate Lucas Digne at left-back.

But Emery has been impressed with how the 22-year-old has handled his first six months at the club and thinks Saturday was an example of his positive outlook.

The boss explained: "He (Maatsen) is always ready to play. He knows the confidence we have in him. 

“When we needed something more in the attacking third, his capacity to make us faster, he always does it. His impact was fantastic and helped us score a goal because he was wishing for it."

Saturday was also a big moment for Bailey who finally broke his goalscoring duck for the season. The Jamaica international was one of the standout players as Villa qualified for the Champions League but has struggled to replicate that form this time around in what has been an injury-affected campaign.

Emery hopes getting off the mark will give the 27-year-old renewed confidence for the months ahead.

He said: “We were speaking about it in the meeting we had for the match about trying to find the goal, not really wishing to be anxious. The first half, the only chance we had was something similar to his goal.

"Being calm, calm, choosing the best option in the final third and in the box. It is coming (first goal). Today he scored and for him it is fantastic after a long time not scoring.

"The most important thing is for the team. Even if we are winning without him scoring, we are happy, but it makes it better because he can feel confident again."

Villa are back in action on Friday night when they host West Ham in the FA Cup third round.

Despite boasting the Premier League’s second-best home record behind Arsenal, they will be aiming to improve a poor run in domestic cup competitions since Emery took charge in November 2022.

Villa have won just two domestic cup ties under the Spaniard and lost all four at home, including a 2-1 Carabao Cup reverse to Crystal Palace earlier this season.