Every word from Patrick Vieira’s post-Aston Villa press conference – Crystal Palace boss on boos, Doucoure’s red card and winless run

An own goal from Joachim Andersen in the 27th minute gave Aston Villa all three points against Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are still without a win in 2023.

Here is every word from Patrick Vieira’s post-Aston Villa press conference at Villa Park.

Disappointing result. How do you assess the performance?

“I’m disappointed, of course, because you always expect to go back home with something.

“The really important moments weren’t in our favour – that made it even more difficult.”

Had Wilf’s goal been onside, would it have changed the game?

“It was offside. It’s always difficult to say that will change the game. When you score the first goal – especially in the Premier League – you know how important it is.

“On the other side, we conceded the own goal, and that showed how unlucky we have been lately.

“That is something that we have to face and try to turn things around.”

How much do you put it down to being unlucky and how much is it not being good enough?

“We were close to Villa. The difference between the two teams today was that own goal.

“Outside of that, we didn’t create very much, but I don’t think they created very much either. 

“That is the history of the game today. We are learning the hard way. It’s important for us to keep working.”

Thoughts on Cheick Doucoure’s red card? Was it disappointing for him to get two yellows?

“It’s disappointing, and he’s frustrated about it. 

“It’s not easy to leave your team with 10 men.

“The 10 players did well – we worked hard and tried to create those chances to get back into the game.

“But it was really difficult for us today.”

Just the five touches inside the Villa penalty area today and zero shots on target – does that highlight where the team’s problem is at the moment?

“This is a problem we have had for a while. We have to improve it if we want to win games.”

How do you go about improving that with the attacking talent that you have?

“It’s about me as a manager finding the right combination up front.”

Do you feel as though they’re getting the best out of themselves at the moment – the likes of Olise, Eze and Wilf came back today.

“If you’re asking me the question and putting all the players in that bracket, I would say yes.”

It was a bright start to the game, but it seemed like the confidence drained after Villa’s opener. Would you agree with that?

“That goal was going to help us to believe more and to have more confidence, but it wasn’t the case.

“We had the resources to stay in the game and try to score those chances.”

With the run coming up – the top two and Brighton away – how do you go about trying to get confidence back in the team because it’s just one win from the last 14?

“It’s about us believing in what we are doing. It’s about us being clear about the roles and responsibilities of players on the field.

“There is always belief and confidence of the players.”

Good to see James McArthur back out there – his first minutes of the season

“It wasn’t easy for him to come back when we were down to 10 men.

“But it was important for him to have the first step in the Premier League after the long injuries that he had.

“It’s always good to see him back in the squad.”

With Doucoure, are you disappointed he didn’t learn from the first yellow card?

“That happens. He will learn from that incident.” 

Is that something you have seen before?

“When you are a midfielder, sometimes you go into those challenges. He was a little bit late this time and got the red card.

“He will learn from it. With 10 men, we gave the right answer.”

How concerned are you about the run? Just one win in nine, but still mid-table.

“You think about it and try to work to win football matches. You try to find a good way to allow yourself to create those chances and score goals.

“We have had some really tough games. But the next three are not going to be easy ones.

“We have to face it. It’s a good challenge, and myself and the players are looking forward to it.”

A lot of those matches have been draws. Do you feel that you’re not too far away from getting back to winning ways?

“There are the draws, and I’m looking at the performances. It’s important to compete against the opposition.

“All the draws that we had, I felt the team competed really well against the teams that were in front of us.”

Boos at the end from Palace fans. Cleary getting frustrated. Is that understandable?

“I didn’t hear that. But fans always want their team to do well and win, especially when you travel away from home.

“The frustration, you always understand it. I think the players today tried their hardest and best to get back into the game and trying to score that goal so we can go back home with something.”

Is it just that finish up top that you’re missing, and should the fans be patient?

“Fans know where we are and who we are as a football club and what we want to achieve. There is a process that is going into place. 

“You have to look at the number of new players in the squad, how young they are, how many of them have been playing in the Premier League, and we know how important that experience is.

“It’s important that they are exposed so they can learn. If we are all on the same page, those players will be top players in the future.”

How were you looking to attack Villa today? Was it to try and break the high line? 

“With the first chance that we created with Wilfried and the goal that he scored, that was our plan – to expose their back four.

“Wilfried – away from home and when is playing in that position – has been really good for us.
“It was our plan to stretch the back four, because centrally, we knew it would be really difficult to find the space.

“That is what we tried to do.”

Why didn’t it work?

“There were a couple of offsides, and the timing of our runs was not the best, or the timing of the pass wasn’t the best.

“There was a question of timing which didn’t allow us to create those opportunities.”

There weren’t many chances Villa created. How did you go about defending well?

“If you defend well, that means the front players are making it good for the back four. 

“If you are creating chances and scoring goals, that means we managed to move the ball well enough to find those players between the lines. 

“It’s more collectively. I think that out of possession, we did okay today – the team defended well outside of that own goal.

“On the other side, when we were in possession, we didn’t move the ball well enough, and our timing in behind wasn’t good enough.

“That’s why we didn’t create very much. I think both teams didn’t create very much. The only difference was that own goal.”