Aston Villa penalties: Boss Unai Emery says side ‘must be more clinical’ as spot-kick woe continues

Villa took the lead in the fourth minute through Evann Guessand, but wasted four big chances before their Dutch opponents levelled just before half-time.

Buendia continued his impressive recent form, but could not make it a fourth goal in five appearances, having netted the winner at Tottenham on Sunday.

“Buendia has been playing unbelievably, he got the goal after coming off the bench at the weekend,” said Michail Antonio on TNT Sports.

“Today he was very creative, finding a lot of through-ball passes. Me seeing him step up, I am thinking it’s a goal. It’s disappointing to see [the miss] but they have to take it on the head and keep moving forwards.”

Emery appears to be doing just that as he appeared calm when asked post-match about Villa’s penalty woes.

“Today the responsibility was for Buendia, and normally he has good numbers shooting penalties, but he missed.

“Of course, something can happen, and we will try to get more clinical in the penalty shoot than the last penalties we have had.

“Our takers are clear. Buendia was today, [Jadon] Sancho, John McGinn, Morgan [Rogers] as well can shoot penalties.

“And, of course, Emiliano can repeat, but the idea is try to be so, so responsible about the decision and about the takers who can score.”

Of those other options mentioned by Emery, Manchester United loanee Sancho is the most experienced penalty taker.

However, the most recent of his three successful penalties at senior club level came while playing for Borussia Dortmund in February 2021.

The responsibility to tackle Villa’s problem may well fall to Austin MacPhee, one of the game’s most highly respected set-piece coaches.

He joined Villa in 2021 under Dean Smith’s tenure as manager, and combines his role with a position on the coaching staff of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez.