Aston Villa booked their place in a European final for the first time in 44 years after beating Nottingham Forest 4-1 on aggregate in a dominant semi-final display.
Unai Emery’s side delivered when the pressure was at its highest. Goals from Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia and a brace from captain John McGinn secured Villa’s passage to the Europa League final, where they will face Freiburg in Istanbul on May 20.
Villa entered the tie as favourites and showed their quality across both legs. Watkins once again led the attack with confidence, while McGinn produced a captain’s performance with two crucial goals. Buendia also stepped up on the big stage as Villa completed a comfortable aggregate victory.
The achievement marks another major milestone under Emery, who has transformed Villa into one of Europe’s most dangerous knockout sides. The Spanish coach has now reached six Europa League finals with four different clubs since 2014. He previously won the competition three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.
For Villa supporters, this is a historic moment. The club last reached a European final in 1982, the same year they lifted the European Cup.
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