Following full time, Emi Martinez’s actions embodied the Ajax tie while Aston Villa issued two punishments.

Despite not having the lead they had hoped to take from Amsterdam, Aston Villa’s first leg result was respectable given Unai Emery’s numerous substitutions and the intense atmosphere at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

The score in the second leg next week is tied at zero, but Villa has the significant benefit of playing in front of their home crowd—something that Ajax exploited last night. Although they have only triumphed twice in their past seven games across all competitions, John van ‘t Schip’s team has now won ten of their home games.

Ajax had the better two opportunities of the match, but both Brian Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor missed their close-range efforts. In the end, it was 10 vs. 10, but neither team was able to generate any obvious opportunities to end the tie.

ZANIOLO AND KONSA SUSPENDED
In the 83rd minute, Ezri Konsa was given a second yellow card for allegedly bringing down Chouba Akpom. The Villa defender had recovered well to get back when Akpom yanked him toward the ground, so it was an extremely harsh call. It was just one of the evening’s many bad choices made by referee Enea Jorgji.

Long before Konsa was sent off late in the game, Jorgji had lost control of the match. Nicolo Zaniolo was scheduled for… in the 76th minute, which was the most perplexing of his calls.I’m still unsure about what.

Zaniolo does a good job of bringing the ball down after backing into Ajax defender Ahmetcan Kaplan and using his body properly, but a foul was called before the referee issued a yellow card. Konsa is also out of the match, while Zaniolo, who received his third yellow card, will be suspended for the second leg.

In the seven games he has managed this season, Jorgji has shown 40 cards. Following the game, Emi Martinez was shown calmly arguing with him, probably raising doubts about some of his dubious choices.

THE FIRST START UNDER EMERY IN IROEGBUNNAM

Emery made five changes to the starting lineup from the team that defeated Luton Town the previous weekend: Tim Iroegbunam, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Morgan Rogers, and Moussa Diaby. The latter made his first start under Emery and his second for Villa last night.

“I wasn’t overly anxious,” Iroegbunam remarked. Since this is my second start with the team, I was eager to play and show everyone what I am capable of. And simply strive for more chances, more beginnings, and more minutes.

“The game was challenging. With a rich history, Ajax is a good squad. Therefore, I believe that the fact that we emerged unscathed is a plus for us. We’ll also have the support of our fans starting next week. At home, we always have strength.