Aston Villa: Unai Emery ‘dreaming’ of winning Europa League after reaching last 16
Aston Villa has a fantastic form chart.
They have won 20 of their last 25 matches (D1, L4) and only Arsenal (21) have won more among teams in Europe’s top five leagues this term.
Their mistake against Everton on Sunday meant they missed out on a chance to finish second, four points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, Emery’s former club.
He made six changes against Fenerbahçe and his team won the 28-time Turkish champions with a score of 1-0.
After the match, Emery praised his players for “respecting” the competition, adding that he was “very, very happy” with their response.
Villa’s match-winner Jadon Sancho scored his first goal in his 19th appearance for the club since joining on loan from Manchester United in September.
“It’s nice to have a manager who supports you and clearly believes in you,” said the 25-year-old striker, who has not played for United since August 2024 and whose contract expires this summer.
“HE [Emery] He keeps telling me to be positive every time I play. “I will try to give 100% every opportunity I get and hopefully I can achieve my goals.”
Sancho has started just two Premier League games this season but has been in Villa’s starting 11 in their last five Europa League games.
Villa have played 12 times since the start of December and have guaranteed a top eight finish in the league stage, avoiding a two-legged play-off in February.
Emery continued to play forward Ollie Watkins for 90 minutes and star midfielder Morgan Rogers for 74 minutes on Thursday.
He was also able to make Tyrone Mings’ first start since November following his recovery from a thigh injury.
Amadou Onana, who was sidelined with a hamstring problem, was given a late role on the bench and is another key player to return.
“[We are] “Under some circumstances, forming a team does not help us,” Emery told TNT Sports.
“But we can complete the transfer window next week and hopefully get everything we need to complete the squad in the coming months and competitions.”
