On Thursday night, Unai Emery and his group of players solidified themselves firmly into Aston Villa history.
A jubilant 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest sees Villa into their first European final since 1982 – the year they lifted the European Cup.
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It was a huge night for the club, no doubt. But it is the fans that will feel the magnitude of this victory most of all.
Ten minutes before kick off, Villa Park was vibrating. Flags, flares and flashing lights galore. It was an atmosphere that will most certainly be etched into Villa folklore. The fans felt the size of the occasion, with decades of disappointment and yearning for success manifesting into a chorus of 42,000 Villans in full voice.
From the whistle, it was a remarkable performance, with Emery’s gameplan executed with precision. The introduction of Victor Lindelof into the midfield stalled Forest in the early stages, while the energy of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Emi Buendia caused problems for the weakened visitors.
Villa have had some sluggish performances this season, but this game highlighted the very best of their capability under Emery – a manager born to coach in knock-out tournaments.
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A trip to Istanbul is confirmed. Flights and hotels are being booked by the thousand, with many more looking to travel than the prescribed 11,000 ticket allocation. The streets of Turkiye’s largest city are set to be painted claret and blue in just over 10 days’ time.
The prospect of European victory for this club cannot be understated. When owners NSWE appointed Emery three and a half years ago, the promise of a return to the top echelons of the footballing world felt a far cry from their dwindling Premier League status.
One more game and the hopes and dreams of all those affiliated with Aston Villa could be achieved. For now, it’s time to celebrate this magnificent leap over the penultimate hurdle.
Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV
