Buendía and McGinn the heroes as Villa fire past Forest to reach Europa League final
Aston Villa will contest their first European final in 44 years, seeking to end a long trophy drought against Freiburg under manager Unai Emery.
- Aston Villa reached their first European final in 44 years after defeating Nottingham Forest 4-0 at Villa Park, securing a 4-1 aggregate victory. Villa will face Freiburg in Istanbul on May 20.
- Entering the second leg trailing to a first-leg penalty, Boss Unai Emery saw his side dominate and erase the deficit through goals from Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, and a John McGinn brace.
- Prince William celebrated in the stands as Villa dismantled Forest's 10-game unbeaten run through superior attacking play, overcoming early tension when referee Glenn Nyberg cautioned manager Emery within 10 minutes.
- Victory positions Villa to end a three-decade trophy drought dating to 1996, marking a significant milestone in the club's transformation under Emery since his appointment in November 2022.
- The Istanbul showpiece represents the seventh all-English European semi-final in history, offering this squad a chance to etch their names alongside the 1982 European Cup winners.
124 Articles
124 Articles
Thought Villa defeat was bad? Forest’s summer is only going to get worse
It is only a short drive back to the East Midlands, but it would have felt like an age for Nottingham Forest as they stewed on the ramifications of Thursday night’s 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa. Morgan Gibbs-White was probably fed up of the thinking time already, Forest’s No 10 having cut a powerless figure on the sidelines at Villa Park. One of the more enduring images of this Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa was the sight of a stitche…
In the English duel in the semi-final return of the Europa League, Prince William's club of hearts went back steam to qualify in the final. What to get the heir out of the throne of his reserve...
Emphatic second leg sends Aston Villa to a Europa League final
Aston Villa overturned their one-goal deficit from the first leg with a controlled, clinical display at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins levelled the tie before half-time, Emiliano Buendía’s penalty early in the second half put Villa in command, and John McGinn’s quickfire brace late on sealed a 4–0 win and a 4–1 aggregate victory. The result is straightforward, as is the reward, Villa are through to the Europa League final in Istanbul. Aston Villa wit…
McGinn double helps Villa crush Forest 4-0 to reach Europa League final
Aston Villa reached the Europa League final with a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest including two goals from John McGinn in the second leg of their all-English semi-final on Thursday for a 4-1 aggregate victory as they chase a first trophy in 30 years. The Premier League side face Freiburg in Istanbul on May 20 after the Bundesliga team beat Braga 4-3 on aggregate. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Unai Emery’s Villa team came out all guns blazing …
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