BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden reacts to Aston Villa's 0-0 draw away at Ajax in the Europa Conference League last 16.
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00:00 Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa at Johan Cruyff Arena. The fate of this European Conference League tie will be decided at Villa Park next week as this game was 0-0 in the end.
00:11 A dull draw to say the least. The final 10 minutes, the only action really as Ezra Conzant received the second yellow and then Tristan Goya received the second yellow for Ajax just a few minutes later.
00:21 So both teams down to 10, quite dramatic, quite tense in the closing stages. But the game on the whole really was quite cagey, only one shot on target I believe for both teams.
00:31 The second one for Ajax was offside for Brian Bobby. He was probably the biggest threat for the hosts as he used his physicality and pace to get in behind a fair bit.
00:39 Ju Brakbom looked decent off the bench as well, the former Arsenal man, but not really a great deal of threat from the home side. The only threat really was their atmosphere.
00:48 The ultras behind the goal were just incredible. It was so loud before the game as well. The fireworks going off and some of the loudest fireworks I've ever heard.
00:57 The atmosphere throughout from those supporters was incredible. But also from the Villa fans over in the far corner, really high up in the heavens.
01:04 They made their voices known, they were very loud as well throughout. You can't be faulting their support.
01:11 In terms of the productivity on the pitch, well that certainly can be faulted. I'd say for both teams, Ajax had more of the ball throughout the game, but couldn't do much with it because Villa were quite resolute defensively.
01:21 Whereas Villa are normally quite good when they're in possession and able to play it out wide and get in behind. But Ajax were so compact, especially in midfield, having an extra man there.
01:32 Unai Emery's men could not get through. But it does play into Villa's hands, a 0-0 here, because it will be decided under the lights at Villa Park.
01:40 That's probably what Unai Emery wanted all along. Obviously getting a lead here would have been ideal, but a 0-0 is a decent result nonetheless. We'll see what happens next week at Villa Park.