Boss Unai Emery admitted Aston Villa got lucky after fighting back to beat AZ Alkmaar. Ollie Watkins’ winner put them on the brink of qualification in the Europa Conference League after a 2-1 home win. Yet, the fightback started in controversial fashion when Diego Carlos levelled after Boubacar Kamara had blazed over and referee Luis Godinho mistakenly awarded Villa a corner. Vangelis Pavlidis gave the hosts a deserved lead but last year’s semi-finalists are now facing an early exit. Villa are second, behind Legia Warsaw on head-to-head, and a point from their final two games will seal progress from Group E. Emery said: “It was a very good chance for Kamara, it was fantastic, but it was not a corner, it’s clear, and after this mistake we score. “I’m very happy because when we are winning a game like tonight we can understand this competition better and the processes we’re trying to build. “I’m very proud of our work in this competition. We’re getting better. “We scored one that was offside more or less. We have to accept the referee’s decision, always. “I’m very proud of our work in this competition. We’re getting better. AZ are a very good team. I’m very happy. The reaction when they scored the goal was fantastic.” Villa started brightly and Clement Lenglet headed in Leon Bailey’s cross – after Pavlidis blocked Watkins’ goalbound header – only for the winger to have been ruled offside. Yet the hosts lost their way as the half wore on, Pavlidis tried to lob Emi Martinez and Alkmaar finished on top with Pavlidis testing Martinez. It turned out the striker was just getting his eye in as he opened the scoring six minutes into the second half. Villa were caught out by Riechedly Bazoer’s ball over the top and Pavlidis outpaced Lenglet to beat Martinez. The hosts were not behind for long, though, when Diego Carlos nodded in Bailey’s corner – after the officials had missed it was Kamara who blazed over from six yards. Villa had the initiative and it was no surprise when Watkins popped up with the winner with nine minutes left, nodding in Douglas Luiz’s clever pass. Alkmaar boss Pascal Jensen said: “The interesting thing I was looking at was can we compete better in the first game (a 4-1 loss)? In Alkmaar we lost because we conceded two easy goals. “I was a bit shocked when we started off, we conceded an early goal and we were fortunate it was disallowed. We were very unfortunate to concede a corner which wasn’t, they scored from it and the whole stadium woke up. “I contacted the fourth official and I asked him and he said ‘I don’t know.’ I think in international competition VAR can come on the radio and help but he didn’t. With all the technology and extra eyes it shouldn’t be possible.” Read More ‘Great result’ cheers David Moyes as West Ham have another good European night Tottenham demands will benefit Brennan Johnson and Wales – Rob Page Ollie Watkins header seals win over AZ Alkmaar as Aston Villa eye last-16 spot Lucas Paqueta goal proves decisive as West Ham sink Olympiacos Katie Taylor ‘aware of what is at stake’ in Chantelle Cameron rematch Brighton complete double over Ajax to boost Europa League hopes

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Manchester United are in a “bad place” but managing the Red Devils is not the impossible job, according to Erik Ten Hag. The Dutchman is the latest esteemed manager to flounder in his efforts to restore United’s place at the top of the game, with his side struggling at home and on their return to the Champions League. But, asked if he had the impossible job, Ten Hag said: “It’s the wrong way (to look at it). We have to fight. I think there is no club where it never goes down. “We are in a bad place but then you have to fight. You have to realise, everyone, that we are there and you have to fight together and you are on one page on every occasion.” Ten Hag cited Tuesday’s home loss to Galatasaray as an example of what is going wrong this season, saying: “We were for 28 minutes on one page, we score a goal and then in one split second we are not on one page. “It was the first shot the opponent got and straight in. You can’t allow it in top football because it’s about moments, it’s about details. Opponents will always benefit from it so we can’t allow these small details.” United have lost six of their 10 games so far this campaign, and there have been mutterings about Ten Hag’s future, which would only intensify should they suffer another setback against Brentford on Saturday. The former Ajax boss insisted he will not drop his ambitions but called for time, saying: “It’s patience, cool heads, but stick together and focus on what it’s about, the way of play. “I knew there would be gaps, would be setbacks, and there will be in every process. It’s coming probably more, that’s understandable. But focus on the things it’s about, and that’s football, and nothing else. “We are still in a transition but in the meantime we have to win every game and we don’t walk away from that. Not this team, not these coaches, not this manager, definitely not. That is the approach and that will be the approach always.” Asked if the tough times made him even more determined to succeed, Ten Hag added: “Absolutely. It even makes me more sharp and gives me more energy to fight to turn this.” Read More Leigh Wood: I’m Josh Warrington’s last chance to get back into title contention He’s not Superman – Mark Wood insists England cannot put pressure on Ben Stokes Roy Hodgson admits Crystal Palace are in midst of a ‘serious injury crisis’