Villa Near Historic Trophy After Europa League Final Berth
Aston Villa are one match away from securing their first major trophy since winning the League Cup in 1996.
When Unai Emery arrived at Villa Park in November 2022, he made his intentions clear: he was there to win trophies. Now, just over three years later, Villa stand on the brink of success.
In front of a lively and jubilant Villa Park crowd on Thursday, the club secured a place in the Europa League final with a commanding victory over Nottingham Forest.
Germany's Freiburg will be their opponents in Istanbul on 20 May, but few doubt Emery’s ability to add a fifth Europa League trophy to his record.
Villa are aiming for their first major silverware in 30 years and their first European trophy in 44 years, seeking to join the ranks of the club’s 1982 European champions.
'We need to go and win it now'
The commentary of Peter Withe’s winning goal against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam is displayed above the Doug Ellis Stand. In two weeks, Villa may add another banner if they triumph in Turkey, which would also secure a Champions League return regardless of their Premier League finish.
John McGinn’s late double capped a dominant display that Nottingham Forest could neither match nor withstand.
Forest boss Vitor Pereira included Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare, and Murillo on the bench, but none were fully fit. Only defender Murillo appeared on the pitch for two minutes after the game was effectively decided.
Even with those players available, Forest would likely have struggled to contain a relentless Villa side that increased their intensity as the match progressed.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring and Emi Buendia converted a penalty to give Villa the lead on the night and in the aggregate. From that point, Villa controlled the tie, earning praise from a royal visitor—Prince William, who congratulated the players in the dressing room after the match.
"They [the players] were so focused, they were aware about the momentum," said Emery. "We planned before emotionally and how we were playing the match. It was the only match we played with this circumstances.
"The possibility to get to a final was the only moment we've had here. We were confident about how the supporters were here and creating this atmosphere."
This will be Emery’s sixth Europa League final, having won four—a record—and lost one, the latter against Chelsea while managing Arsenal in 2019.
"Europe is very important," Emery said. "In my first press conference here I was speaking about Europe, I was speaking about trophies as well, but it's very difficult. It's difficult to get trophies.
"In Europe, it's difficult to be consistent like we are. It's through our hard work and the players must set the standards we want to achieve.
"Today the players [gave] their best, collectively and individually."
Only Giovanni Trapattoni, with seven, has reached more major finals in European competition than Emery.
"There's no better manager than this to get us prepared for this game and take us into the final. His track record speaks for itself," Watkins told TNT.
"We need to go and win it now."
Watkins acknowledged that squad changes are expected this summer, making this run a final opportunity to achieve success together.
Emery has maximized his players’ potential. Several, including Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, and Morgan Rogers, joined Villa from the Championship, and there is an internal understanding that the squad requires rebuilding.
Captain McGinn also recognizes this final chance to be compared with past club heroes such as European Cup-winning captain Dennis Mortimer and Paul McGrath, who lifted the 1994 and 1996 League Cups.
"We've had low moments, definitely. It's a demanding club to play for, but when it's like this, Villa Park is electric. What we've done in the last few years is exceptional.
"I felt it this morning, but now it is about embracing it and trying to be legends. You see the guys from 1982, you see the cup winners in the 90's.
"It's a historic club and it's been a long time without success. There's been massive lows, like relegation and it has built itself back up. It's such a proud football club, it deserves success and hopefully we can be the group to do it."
How Villa Could Secure Sixth Place and Champions League Qualification
English clubs have reached all three European finals for the first time this season.
A Good Day for Buendia
Emi Buendia scored the penalty after Nikola Milenkovic tugged Pau Torres in the box.
Buendia’s future at Aston Villa was uncertain not long ago.
After being loaned to Bayer Leverkusen in the latter half of last season and making just three Bundesliga starts, his Villa career appeared over.
Signed from Norwich in 2021 for a then-club record fee rising to £38 million, the playmaker struggled initially, scoring only four goals in 38 appearances during his debut season.
A serious knee injury sidelined him for the entire 2023-24 season, leaving him on the periphery as his teammates qualified for the Champions League.
Villa were prepared to sell him last summer to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations but ultimately decided to retain the 29-year-old.
This season, Buendia has been one of Emery’s most reliable players, scoring 10 goals and contributing to the failure of Harvey Elliott’s loan move from Liverpool.
"I took responsibility," he told TNT of the penalty. "It was one of the most decisive penalties for the club in recent years, but I didn't feel pressure. I felt calm, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
"We showed the whole season how good we can play. The result is amazing and I think we deserve it.
"I think the prestige to win a trophy, with the history this club has - it would be amazing. The fans really want this trophy for us, and we will try."
Former Villa striker Dion Dublin praised Buendia, noting his unique qualities.
"Buendia goes below the radar. He plays good passes, weight of pass is good. His finishing is good.
"He's nasty too, he doesn't mind putting a foot in. He is one of those players Villa need in their side in order to achieve things. He doesn't want the plaudits, he just wants to play and get to finals."
