Aberdeen manager Barry Robson insists there was no need to panic despite the Dons being left joint-bottom of the cinch Premiership following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Hearts.
The visitors failed to build on a bright start at Tynecastle and ultimately came away with nothing as Hearts eased to the victory courtesy of goals from Yutaro Oda and Liam Boyce.
The travelling Aberdeen fans also made their feelings clear at full-time ahead of their team’s opening Europa Conference League group clash at Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday.
Asked if it was too early to panic over the sight of Aberdeen being joint bottom alongside St Johnstone, Robson, who handed a debut to defender Stefan Gartenmann, said: “I think so. When you look at where we were as a club last year, we’ve had a difficult start.
“I think that’s the first time we’ve had all the players who we’ve tried to sign all in. You can see a bit of that. But listen, even with that, we still need to try and get results.
“I’m honest enough and smart enough to know that you need results even with the hard start, a lot of away games.”
Asked about the fans’ reaction, Robson added: “100 per cent (I understand their reaction). We want to win football matches. I think they know that.
“We are a work in progress. That was a whole new back five, we tried to change it at half-time, but you could see a lack of cohesion with us.”
Oda put Hearts ahead in the 14th minute when his deflected drive beat Kelle Roos and Liam Boyce doubled the home team’s lead in the 64th minute.
Boyce was left with an easy tap-in after Roos was forced into a save at his near post when Calem Nieuwenhof’s cross deflected off Jamie McGrath.
Hearts head coach Steven Naismith was thrilled with the way his team handled the game.
He said: “It was a really good afternoon. In one respect we needed the break mentally to reset and take stock. In the European games the performances had been good, but the challenge is when you come into domestic games, you must win and we never dealt with that well enough.
“In the games I’ve been in charge of, it’s probably the most comfortable I’ve been at the end of a game when it is still alive with it being 2-0.”
Unai Emery has signed a new five-year deal with Aston Villa after guiding the club into the Champions League last season.
The Spaniard, whose existing deal still had another three years to run, has put pen to paper on fresh terms that will keep him at Villa Park until 2029.
Villa were 17th in the Premier League when Emery succeeded Steven Gerrard in November 2022, but he dragged them away from danger to a seventh-place finish.
The former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain head coach then oversaw a memorable 2023-24 season, in which the Villans finished fourth and qualified for Europe's premier club competition for the first time in 41 years.
Villa also reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, losing out to Olympiacos, and Emery is thrilled to extend his stay at Villa Park.
"I am very happy to take this step and the responsibility of leading this club," he said.
"There’s great chemistry at Aston Villa, and the element of the fans’ support also makes the difference to feel like home. We are really excited to continue this journey with no limits to our dreams."
"We are building something special here at Aston Villa with Unai at its core, and we are delighted that he has signed a new deal with the club until 2029," chairman Nassef Sawiris added.
"As we move into our historic, 150th anniversary year, there is a lot to look forward to with Unai at the helm."
Yamal and Fermin named in Spain's provisional Euro 2024 squad
Lamine Yamal has been named in Spain's provisional squad for Euro 2024, while Barcelona team-mate Fermin Lopez is one of two uncapped players included by Luis de la Fuente.
The 16-year-old headlines a relatively youthful 29-man party for La Roja, which must be cut to 26 by June 7 ahead of the tournament in Germany.
Yamal became Spain's youngest ever player and scorer when, aged 16 years and 50 days old, he found the net on his debut against Georgia last September, and has been a standout player for Barca this season.
He is joined in the squad by team-mates Pedri, Pau Cubarsi, Ferran Torres and Fermin, who is handed his first senior call-up by De la Fuente having also impressed during his maiden LaLiga campaign.
The same can be said for Real Betis forward Ayoze Perez, who scored 11 goals for Los Verdiblancos this term, but Marco Asensio, Pedro Perro, Pau Torres and Kepa Arrizabalaga are notable absentees, with Gavi also missing out through injury.
David Raya, Alex Grimaldo and Marc Cucurella are among several players still yet to reach double figures in caps to be included.
Greater experience is provided by skipper Alvaro Morata, as well as the likes of Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Rodri and Jesus Navas, while Real Madrid striker Joselu also gets the nod following his Champions League semi-final heroics against Bayern Munich.
Spain begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Croatia in Berlin on June 15, while La Roja will also face Italy and Albania in Group B.
Williamson signs new Arsenal deal
Leah Williamson has put pen to paper on a new deal at Arsenal, extending her 19-year stay with the Gunners.
The England defender, who was eight years old when she had her first trial at the club, has agreed fresh terms with the Women's Super League side.
Williamson returned to action in February following a lengthy lay-off with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, which forced her to miss the Lionesses' run to the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
The 27-year-old, who skippered England to Euro 2022 glory, has made 232 appearances for Arsenal, winning the Women's Super League as well as the FA Cup and League Cup on two occasions.
"Everyone knows what Arsenal means to me, but I think every time I sign a new contract, I feel that love ignite all over again," she told the club's official website.
"I'm very happy to be staying. This is a place where I can still continue to grow, develop and be challenged. As a group, we're all very focused on bringing more silverware to this club and I can't wait to get started again when the new season comes around."
"Leah is an essential part of our team, so we're delighted she has signed a new contract with us," Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall added. "She brings us so much on and off the pitch - leadership, accountability and commitment.
"Leah has a special bond with Arsenal, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work together to bring more success to this great club."
Clare Wheatley, the club's director of women's football, said: "Leah's connection with Arsenal runs so deep. I can remember her as a girl in our academy many years ago, and I'm so proud of the determined, passionate woman she has become.
"We're thrilled that Leah has signed a new deal here, and I know our supporters will join me in congratulating her today."
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