Mixed feelings for Emery after Valencia fightback

Valencia coach Unai Emery has confessed that he was not entirely pleased with his side’s 2-2 draw at Villarreal.

The Mestalla outfit saw themselves down 2-0 following two quick-fire goals in the opening 20 minutes, but a late Aritz Aduriz strike earned the visitors one point after Sofiane Feghouli had reduced the deficit shortly before the break.

Emery praised Valencia’s never-say-die attitude, but admitted he was upset with his players’ mistakes in the early stages of the match.

“I am almost 100 percent happy with the team’s attitude, we showed we wanted to win,” he said.

“We made very clear errors which rightfully punished us. Those errors hurt and we have to continue to work.”

The 40-year-old coach then criticised the referee’s decision to rule out Roberto Soldado’s goal for offside right after the restart.

“From what we could see, the goal was valid and if we had levelled the match earlier than we did, we would have had more chances to win,” Emery said.

Valencia remain third in the La Liga standings, nine points adrift of leaders Real Madrid, and travel to Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.