Unai Emery reacts after Aston Villa ‘lost their minds’ in dramatic win, Morgan Gibbs-White 'leads by example' in crucial Nottingham Forest victory

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Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery was delighted with his side's dramatic 4-3 over Sunderland, while Vitor Pereira has hailed Nottingham Forest's hat-trick hero Morgan Gibbs-White.

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Villa were 3-1 up at home against Sunderland, the season’s surprise package, and looked to be on their way to a routine three points to keep them in fourth place, level on points with third-placed Manchester United.

However, an 86th-minute goal from Trai Hume was followed a minute later by a Wilson Isidor strike.

Had the score remained at 3-3, they would have finished the day just a point clear of Liverpool, who earned a late 2-1 win at Everton in the Merseyside derby.

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However, Tammy Abraham popped up with a 93rd-minute winner to earn the home side all three points.

Emery’s joy on the sideline was evident, and, speaking to Sky Sports, he explained: "I am so, so happy. We played a fantastic match, and maybe the two goals we conceded in one minute, we lost our mind a little bit.

"They were excited. But how we reacted at 3-3 to score the fourth goal was fantastic.

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"The Premier League is very difficult, and to beat Sunderland [who are] still are in the run for Europe.

"We started this match with many objectives. One of them was to keep fourth, get an advantage on other teams and leave Sunderland further behind us.

"We did it. I am so happy with how we played. I am going to analyse deeply why we lost our minds in a few minutes.

"First half, we started intense and dominated. Of course, we conceded very quickly, but we recovered our positioning and we played our game plan. The second half was better.

"We had chances to score the fourth. Very positive today. I am analysing how we are building tactically, and how we want to play."

Gibbs-White 'leads by example' against Burnley

Nottinham Forest also scored four at home, trouncing relegation-threatened Burnley 4-1.

Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed a hat-trick, with Zian Flemming notching a consolation goal for Scott Parker’s men.

The win moves Forest five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur, who sit 18th in the Premier League table, and Pereira was delighted with his captain, Gibbs-White, saying he was vital for the second half.

He said: "He is leading by example. I know a lot of [captains] that speak and speak, but it proves nothing.

"I didn't feel he was his best level in the first half, but he did fantastic in the second half.

"Even when we are in bad moments we feel the energy from supporters, and we create spirit in the team to face problems.

"The second half was a big example that we are alive and ready to fight until the last game to reach our target."

Sunderland finished the game in 11th, while Burnley are 19th.

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