Aston Villa 4-0 Ajax: Unai Emery’s side move into Europa Conference League quarter-finals

Aston Villa thrashed Ajax at a raucous Villa Park to maneuver into the Europa Convention League quarter-finals – their first look within the final eight of a significant European competitors since 1998.

After it completed 0-0 within the first leg within the Netherlands, Watkins scored his twenty second membership aim of the season in all competitions when he beautifully headed in Douglas Luiz’s right-wing nook within the twenty fifth minute.

Nonetheless, the England striker, named earlier on Thursday in Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the Wembley friendlies in opposition to Brazil and Belgium, went off within the thirty third minute with an damage.

4-time European champions Ajax practically scored an equaliser within the fifth minute of first-half damage time, however Matty Money did excellently to clear Brian Brobbey’s effort off the road with keeper Emiliano Martinez effectively crushed.

Ajax had been captained by England midfielder Jordan Henderson in his first membership match within the nation since leaving Liverpool final summer season to hitch Saudi Arabian aspect Al-Ettifaq, solely to then transfer to Ajax in January.

However Henderson misplaced possession within the build-up to Villa’s second aim, with Bailey producing nice ability and two stepovers to create area earlier than drilling into the online.

Ajax had midfielder Sivert Mannsverk despatched off for 2 bookable offences within the 66th minute and Duran blasted in a 3rd aim, with the ball getting in off the underside of the crossbar. Diaby slotted in a fourth 9 minutes from time to verify their progress.

The draw for the Europa Convention League quarter-finals, semi-finals and closing will all happen on Friday, 15 March from 13:00 GMT at Uefa’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and you’ll comply with stay textual content commentary on the BBC Sport web site.

Euro star Emery guides Villa to memorable evening

Unai Emery has gained the Europa League on 4 events in his profession – 3 times with Sevilla (2014, 2015 and 2016) and as soon as with Villarreal (2021) – and likewise took Arsenal to the ultimate in 2019.

This end result continues his unimaginable job at Villa, who had been solely out of the Premier League relegation zone on aim distinction once they sacked Steven Gerrard and introduced within the Spaniard. Emery gained 15 of his 25 league matches to take the membership as much as seventh and again in Europe after a 13-year absence.

However Villa, European Cup winners, in 1982, will now be taking part in in a significant European quarter-final for the primary time since going out on away targets within the final eight of the Uefa Cup in opposition to Atletico Madrid 26 years in the past.

Earlier than the sport, Emery referred to as the match “one other great alternative in opposition to one of many greatest and most historic golf equipment in European soccer”, including “that is what Villa Park was made for”.

He urged the followers to play their half, they usually definitely did with the match performed in an excellent environment at a sold-out stadium.

After a pre-game interactive stay present, pitchside flame-throwers and fireworks to construct up the frenzy among the many dwelling followers, Villa had been the higher aspect and had seen Bailey and Diaby go shut earlier than Watkins scored.

The striker had earlier wanted prolonged remedy after he slid in and caught visiting goalkeeper Diant Ramaj, with Watkins solely capable of proceed after his left leg and knee was closely strapped up.

However Watkins, who has scored three targets in 9 appearances for England, nonetheless had time to make his mark.

He took his aim beautifully however not lengthy afterwards needed to be helped off the pitch by Bailey, with each Champions-League chasing Villa and England hoping his damage shouldn’t be a critical one, particularly with the Euro 24 beginning in precisely three months’ time.

Watkins’ alternative, Duran, shot simply large with two efforts, earlier than Villa ran riot with three second-half targets to seal their passage into the subsequent spherical.

A troublesome return to England for Henderson

Henderson and uncapped Ezri Konsa had been additionally named within the England squad, though Konsa didn’t function at Villa Park as he was suspended following a crimson card within the first leg within the Netherlands.

Henderson, with 81 England caps, was booed each time he touched the ball by the house followers, who additionally chanted about him being ‘grasping’ in reference to his Saudi transfer.

It has been a battle up to now within the Netherlands for the 33-year-old, who captained Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2019. He has now performed eight instances for Ajax and gained solely as soon as, with 5 attracts and two losses.

He performed a pleasant first-time ball excessive just for Brobbey to be denied by wonderful defending, however was additionally crucially robbed of possession earlier than Villa’s second aim because it turned out to be a painful night for the England man.