Emery reacts to Villarreal defeat by Chelsea in UEFA Super Cup

Unai Emery revealed his pride after coming a whisker away from defeating Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup final.

The Spaniard’s plucky Villarreal side could only be bettered via a penalty shootout in Belfast on Wednesday night, following a Thomas Tuchel masterstroke with his substitutes.

Chelsea’s German boss opted to bring goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga off the bench to replace Edouard Mendy as the game spilled over into spot kicks, and was soon rewarded after the former Bilbao man saved the decisive kick.

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At the final whistle however, Emery immediately took the chance to talk up the satisfaction he felt at having taken his underdogs to the showpiece fixture.

He told broadcasters on the pitch: ‘It’s a pride to represent this club, Villarreal and LaLiga on a day like today

‘You cannot blame the players for anything because they’ve made a fantastic effort.’