Matt Maher: Frustration and optimism as Aston Villa fall in Barcelona

For much of their recent history, a 3-0 defeat at the Nou Camp would have been a source of pride.Those days are gone. While certain TV pundits might remain unconvinced, this is a Villa team which truly believes it can do serious damage in this year’s Champions League.

Through the first half at least on Tuesday night, Unai Emery’s men were threatening to make good on the promise.

Though the final score might have been one-sided, it does not tell the full story of a match from which the lingering feeling, from Villa’s perspective, was of missed opportunity.

Having gifted their hosts the opener through a Joao Gomes error, Emery’s side responded impressively and with a little more composure in the attacking third, could well have gone in at the break ahead, let alone level.

Gomes, Matty Cash, Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson all squandered good openings in a contest which felt pretty even, until two second goals from Raphinha tilted it decisively in the Catalan club’s favour.

The first of those came courtesy of a big deflection off Pau Torres. Only the home side’s third goal, converted first-time by Raphinha after a sumptuous cross with the outside of the boot by Joao Cancelo, was of true quality.

For Emery, who saw his own rotten record at the Nou Camp extend to a 15th defeat in 16 visits, that will be the biggest irritation.

A Barcelona side which contains the talent of Raphinha, Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal really doesn’t need a helping hand.

And yet aside from Yamal’s seventh minute opener, the only other serious work for Zion Suzuki in the first half came from the Villa keeper’s own mistake when a poor pass out presented a shooting chance for Anthony Gordon.

It wasn’t the only time on the night Suzuki played his way into trouble. For a goalkeeper, the Japan international is impressive with the ball at his feet. But he is still a goalkeeper and there are times when he might need to remember that.

The main difference between the teams, as Villa skipper John McGinn later observed, was decision-making.

It could be Barcelona simply have better players, with the mentality to make the right calls in the heat of the moment.

On the other hand, we’ve seen Villa win some very big games under Emery and there is a conviction this still evolving side will improve.

Barcelona might be stronger but it is no longer an ocean of quality between these teams.

“If we come back here in spring we will be better and more prepared,” wrote the manager’s right-hand man, Damian Vidagany, on social media shortly after full-time.

Things may well play out that way. The good thing about Tuesday night, from Villa’s perspective, was the lack of real jeopardy. They are still very well-placed at the midway point of the league phase and will more than likely get their shot at taking down a big gun when the competition reaches the knockout stages.

In the meantime, attention turns to Sunday’s Premier League trip to Manchester United and the chance to recover from what has been something of a minor blip.

After last month’s statement win over Manchester City, the past week has delivered something of a reality check as to just how far down the line Emery’s rebuilt side are.

We’ve already seen the potential but setbacks are also inevitable, particularly when players around whom so much is based, like Manzambi, are so young. The challenge is to ascend the learning curve quickly.

There is, as the Spaniard often says, “still work to do” yet you saw enough at the Nou Camp to leave you optimistic for the weeks and months to come.