Thursday 29 October 2015 15:23, UK
Ronald Koeman praised Southampton's second-half performance against Aston Villa and admitted he had the taste for Capital One Cup glory.
The Saints ran out 2-1 winners over struggling Villa thanks to goals from Maya Yoshida and Graziano Pelle, after Koeman made seven changes from the 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Premier League.
The Southampton boss admitted his side lacked cohesion as Villa had the best opportunities in the first 45 minutes, but was delighted with the way they played in the second half to secure a Capital One Cup quarter-final match at home to Liverpool.
"Yes, the first half was not good enough," Koeman told Sky Sports. "Our ball possession was too slow to create difficulties for Aston Villa and there was a big difference between the second half and the first.
"The second was strong and it was well deserved to win the game. We did make some changes to the team, and it's always difficult.
"But these players deserved an opportunity and they did a good job. The second half was much better, though."
Among the changes, Koeman handed a first start since April 2014 to Gaston Ramirez, while summer signings Juanmi and Oriol Romeu also featured for the Saints.
"You need more than 11 players, and we know that was also the reason to sign more players in the summer - to have a stronger squad in the Premier League, Capital One Cup and FA Cup," Koeman continued.
"Everybody likes to go to Wembley and to play for a trophy. That would be amazing. We have to do a lot of good things to reach a final, but that's our ambition, yes."
