Premier League side secure automatic qualification to last 16 but there was a baffling incident between manager and midfielder
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery clashed with midfielder Youri Tielemans in baffling scenes on Thursday against Fenerbahce.
Villa were 1-0 up in stoppage time of the Europa League game against the Turkish side, and Tielemans was replaced with youngster George Hemmings. The 28-year-old seemed comfortable enough with coming off and jogged toward the touchline.
As he attempted a handshake with Emery, the manager exploded in rage, muttering a few words to the Belgium international before shoving him away. Tielemans did not react and continued to head to the bench without so much as looking back at the manager.
The confusing event may have had something to do with the midfielder’s jog to the touchline, with Emery possibly upset he had not walked slowly as Villa tried to waste time and hold onto their lead, according to pundits who discussed it after the game.
“It might be innocent, but I don’t like that,” said former Premier League defender Joleon Lescott. “I’m sure it’s more innocent than it looks, but I don’t like the look of it.”
Ex-England Women’s player Fara Williams said: “Given Tielemans’ performance, to come off and feel you’ve done a job for the team with a few minutes left and be shoved by your manager – I just assume it could be because he jogged off the pitch and he probably wanted him to walk off as there’s only a couple of minutes left.
“Maybe it’s because he’s not deploying any dark arts, but that’s all I can assume.”
Villa led through Jadon Sancho in the first half and ultimately held firm to secure their sixth win from seven European games this season. The victory ensured they sealed a top-eight finish and automatic qualification into the round of 16 with a game remaining.
Emery dismissed the incident with Tielemans at the end of the game, saying: “He’s my son. He’s my son.”
He was more interested in discussing the positive performance against the Turkish side and progress to the last 16.
“Europa League is important for us and we have got in the top eight,” said Emery. “Building the team with some circumstances not helping us but next week we can finish the transfer window and hopefully we can get everything we need to complete the squad for the competitions we have.”
