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Tag: Aston Villa

  • UCL: Emery fancies ‘special’ Villa to edge Bayern in Birmingham

    UCL: Emery fancies ‘special’ Villa to edge Bayern in Birmingham

    Unai Emery is hoping Aston Villa can summon the spirit of the club’s 1982 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich when the German giants visit Birmingham in the Champions League today.

    Villa’s return to the top level of European football after a 41-year wait began successfully with a 3-0 win at Swiss side Young Boys two weeks ago.

    But Villa Park’s first taste of the competition since it was re-branded as the Champions League brings back memories of the club’s greatest-ever night.

    Villa upset the odds to beat a mighty Bayern side, featuring club legends Paul Breitner and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, 1-0 in Rotterdam.

     “It is a special, special match for everyone,” said Emery at his pre-match press conference. “We are motivated and so excited to play tomorrow with our supporters in Villa Park. Remembering as well the final that Villa played against them 42 years ago.”

    Emery, who has won the Europa League four times in his managerial career, has inspired a phenomenal turnaround in Villa’s fortunes since taking charge less than two years ago.

    They were battling relegation from the Premier League when the Spaniard replaced Steven Gerrard, but rose to finish seventh in Emery’s first season to qualify for the Europa Conference League.

    Villa reached the semi-finals in their first experience of European football for 13 years and secured a top-four finish in the Premier League, above Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham, to qualify for the Champions League.

    Bayern, six-time European champions, are unbeaten in seven matches since Vincent Kompany took charge and Emery believes they are among the favourites to win the Champions League.

    But he is hoping his side can compete as they have done with the Premier League’s elite sides in recent seasons.

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     “I want to play matches like this and I want to play consistently matches like this,” added Emery.

    “In the Premier League we are facing teams like them – Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal – that can win this competition this year. They are favourites with other teams like Bayern Munich.

     “Playing in Europe, we are very, very happy to face Bayern at home and hopefully we can enjoy tomorrow. Hopefully we can compete and show our best against them.”

    Kompany was a surprise choice by Bayern to succeed Thomas Tuchel after he oversaw Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League last season.

    However, Emery is not surprised at the fast start the former Manchester City captain has made to life in Germany.

     “I think he’s a coach that has a very good future and he started being successful with Burnley when he got promoted.

     “Last year was difficult with Burnley at the beginning, favourites to get relegated. He didn’t achieve to keep them in the Premier League, but I always respect him a lot as a coach because the two matches we played were very difficult.

     “With Bayern Munich and the players they have, I think it’s easier to get the level they will want to have in their league and in the Champions League. They have started winning matches with very good results, playing very well.”

  • Villa overpower Young Boys in UCL opener

    Villa overpower Young Boys in UCL opener

    Aston Villa marked their return to European football’s top club competition after a 41-year absence with a thoroughly deserved victory over Swiss champions Young Boys.

    Unai Emery’s team took time to settle on the artificial surface in Bern but went in front through Youri Tielemans, who finished off a well-worked corner routine with a driven finish into the far corner.

    Villa were gifted a second by some calamitous defending from the home side, with Ollie Watkins intercepting Mohamed Ali Camara’s pass towards goalkeeper David von Ballmoos and Jacob Ramsey firing in off the inside of the post.

    The hosts were spared further punishment before half-time by the video assistant referee (VAR), who disallowed Watkins’ powerful effort for handball.

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    Silvere Ganvoula and Filip Ugrinic forced saves out of Emi Martinez in the second half and substitute Jhon Duran had a left-footed finish ruled out for handball against Amadou Onana, but the Belgian midfielder’s low effort put the seal on a comfortable evening for Emery’s side.

    The visitors wore black armbands in Switzerland in memory of former striker and 1982 European Cup winner Gary Shaw, who passed away on Monday from injuries sustained in a heavy fall.

    An image of Shaw was displayed on the big screen before kick-off, with both sets of fans taking part in a period of applause.

  • Juventus sign Brazil’s Luiz from Aston Villa

    Juventus sign Brazil’s Luiz from Aston Villa

    Juventus signed Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa in a deal worth a reported £42.3 million ($53.5 million).

    Luiz agreed a five-year contract with the Italian club as he became the latest player to leave Villa Park due to the Premier League club’s financial fair-play cost-cutting.

    Signed from Manchester City in 2019, the 26-year-old spent five years with Villa and was a key player in their surprise fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

    Luiz, who scored 22 goals in 204 appearances for Villa, completed his medical ahead of the Juventus move while on international duty with Brazil at the Copa America.

     “I’m really happy to be a Bianconero. I can’t wait to play in the Allianz Stadium. See you soon and Forza Juve!” Luiz said in a social media video.

    The Premier League club announced Luiz’s departure on their website, saying: “Aston Villa can confirm that Douglas Luiz has joined Juventus.”

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    Luiz, who helped Brazil win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, was voted Villa’s Player of the Year in 2022-23.

    But Villa’s need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) forced boss Unai Emery to agree to Luiz’s sale.

    PSR rules permit losses of up to £105 million over three years.

    Villa have already sold Tim Iroegbunam to Everton for £9 million during the close-season, while Chelsea paid £19 million for Omari Kellyman.

    Tottenham have been linked with Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey, while Emery has signed Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen and Everton’s Lewis Dobbin.

    Luiz will be joining a Juventus side that finished third in Serie A last season, 24 points behind champions Inter Milan.

  • Aston Villa table offers for Fiorentina’s Kayode

    Aston Villa table offers for Fiorentina’s Kayode

    Aston Villa have tabled an opening bid for Fiorentina full-back Michael Kayode, the 19-year-old Nigerian descent  who exploded onto the scene last season in Serie A.

    Transfer expert Alfredo Pedulla  was  quoted as  saying that the Premier League club will use the funds collected in the sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus, to help finance the deal.

    Villa sporting Director, Monchi, is thought to be a huge fan of the player and Pedulla claimed that the Birmingham club has made an initial offer of €15M plus bonuses. Fiorentina are understood to be ready to sell for a fee in the region of €20M with the two parties now close to an agreement.

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    Kayode grew up in the youth ranks at Juventus before making the switch to La Viola’s under-19 squad in the summer of 2021. Last season, the Italy Under-21 international made 26 Serie A appearances for the club and six in the UEFA Conference League, which Fiorentina ultimately lost to Olympiacos.

  • EPL: Aston Villa win Champions League qualification for first time

    EPL: Aston Villa win Champions League qualification for first time

    Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League for the first time after top-four rivals Tottenham Hotspur lost to Manchester City on Tuesday.

    Tottenham had been the only team who could have overtaken Villa into fourth before Tuesday, but are now five points behind Unai Emery’s side with one game remaining.

    Villa have not reached Uefa’s premier club competition since it rebranded from the European Cup to the Champions League in 1991-92.

    They last played in the European Cup 41 years ago in 1982-83 having won the competition the season before.

    Villa did finish second and fourth in the Premier League in 1992-93 and 1995-96 respectively, but in both those seasons only first was good enough to reach the Champions League.

    Celebrations at club awards night

    Villa’s players and staff were holding their annual awards night at Villa Park on Tuesday night and celebrated as the result at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was confirmed.

    The club posted photos on social media, external of Emery and the players cheering and spraying champagne.

    “It’s a very special day,” Emery said. “It’s our dream, we started the season to be here. We’ve had injuries but the team was always focused. It’s fantastic. To play Champions League is the best.”

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    “Nobody expected us to be there but we believed in ourselves and believed in our dream,” wrote defender Lucas Digne on Instagram, external. “It was hard but the achievement is amazing.”

    Centre-half Diego Carlos added, external: “After more than four decades we are back in the Champions League. We are experiencing a historic season! Up the Villa!”

    Fans including the Prince of Wales, who was at Villa’s recent match against Olympiakos, also celebrated the news.

    “We are Champions League!” he wrote on X, external. “A historic season and an amazing achievement. Thanks to Unai, the whole squad and everyone at Aston Villa. Can’t wait for next season.”

  • Three lessons from Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over West Brom

    Aston Villa gave themselves a crucial advantage heading into their second-leg match against West Brom, as they ran out 2-1 winners at Villa Park over the weekend.

    Dean Smith’s side surprisingly fell behind in the first-half of this one though as Dwight Gayle capitalised on a mistake from Villa’s Glenn Whelan.

    But the hosts responded as Conor Hourihane stepped off the substitutes bench to fire home an equaliser in clinical fashion, before Tammy Abraham netted the winner from the penalty spot.

    West Brom striker, Dwight Gayle was dismissed late on, and will leave a sizeable void up-front for James Shan’s side, especially with Hal Robson-Kanu also out of the second-leg through suspension.

    It’s certainly going to be a closely-fought encounter between the two sides when they meet again on Tuesday, and Aston Villa will be hoping they can ease those nerves with an early goal at The Hawthorns.

    But what have we learnt about Aston Villa after this latest win over the Baggies?

    1.      The on-loan Chelsea man continued his impressive run of form, as he scored his () goal of the season from the penalty spot, in what proved to be the winner on the day.

    If Aston Villa are to win promotion back into the Premier League this season, then you can almost guarantee that Abraham will play a crucial role in the success of the Villans this year.

    2.      He’ll be keen to get on the score sheet in the second-leg, that’s for sure.

    There was some surprise when Hourihane was named amongst the substitutes for Villa on the day, with Glenn Whelan starting ahead of him.

    But he couldn’t have asked for a better performance coming off the bench as he netted the equaliser with a stunning strike from distance on the day.

    3.      He will certainly have provided Dean Smith with a selection headache for the second-leg.

    They head into the second-leg with an important goal advantage, but Villa will know that their opponents will be without one of their key men for this crucial clash.

    Dwight Gayle was sent off late into first-leg, and it’ll certainly mean that the Villa defence will be in for a quieter game in the second-leg, with Jay Rodriguez the only recognised striker available for the Baggies.

    (footballleagueworld.co.uk)

  • John Terry steps up recovery for Villa promotion push

    John Terry steps up recovery for Villa promotion push

     

    John Terry admits he hates being injured, but the veteran Aston Villa defender looks to be taking a proactive outlook on his recovery by hitting the gym for a big Monday session.

    The 36-year-old is expected to be out for the rest of the year after suffering a fracture to his fifth metatarsal during Aston Villa’s 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday earlier this month.

    But following a brief break in Dubai, Terry was back at work as he completed the latest stint in his rehabilitation, and shared an inspiring gym montage that wouldn’t look out of place in a Rocky film.

    While still wearing his protective boot, Terry completed a series of bench presses and chin-ups before partaking in some leg strengthening exercises on the floor.

    His caption read: ‘I hate being injured and can’t wait to be back.’

    That would have been more than enough for your average gym bunny, but Terry is anything but. Not quite burnt out, the former Chelsea and England captain strapped on his snorkel and tightened his trunks before hitting the pool for some laps.

    The video would have served as good viewing for Aston Villa fans, who will no doubt be looking forward to the return of Terry as their Premier League promotion push clings on under manager Steve Bruce.

    Following a 2-1 win over QPR at the weekend, the Villans moved up to fifth in the table but they have a lot of ground to make up on Wolves and Sheffield United, who occupy first and second place and sit nine and seven points ahead respectively.

    Terry was present for the game as his team-mates sealed a win and he posted a cheeky message on his Instagram afterwards, saying: ‘Walking away from Loftus Road with three points like always.’

  • Hogan seals £12m deadline move to Villa

    Hogan seals £12m deadline move to Villa

     

    Scott Hogan has completed his £12million move to Aston Villa following a month-long saga surrounding his future.

    Villa boss Steve Bruce, a big admirer of the 24-year-old, has won the race to sign his priority target after West Ham pulled out.

    Hogan arrived at Aston Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground for a medical earlier on deadline day and has now put pen to paper.

    West Ham were originally pursuing the forward but cooled their interest, leaving Villa scope to make a late bid.

    The transfer is said to be worth an initial £9million up front, rising to £12m with the remaining sum comprising a series of add-ons.

    Hogan had initially wanted a shot at the Premier League but, with doubts about his injury record, West Ham decided against meeting Brentford’s original £15m asking price.

    Bruce has shown more confidence however, and is a big admirer of Hogan’s non-stop running style. The Villa manager has wanted to reshape his attack and has now brought in a centre-forward with 14 goals in 27 games this season.

    Villa have financed the move by agreeing to sell Ashley Westwood to Burnley for £5m and Jordan Ayew to Swansea, for Neil Taylor plus £5m.

    The club had been prepared to launch another bid for Jordan Rhodes after seeing a £6m offer rejected by Middlesborough but look to have been able to secure their preferred target.

  • Aston Villa appoint Di Matteo as manager

    Aston Villa appoint Di Matteo as manager

    Former Chelsea manager, Roberto di Matteo, has been appointed the new manager of Aston Villa.

    The Italian succeeds Remi Garde, who was sacked in March before the club’s relegation from the Premier League, the BBC reports.

    Di Matteo, who won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, will be assisted by former Blues team-mate, Steve Clarke.

    Villa was also linked with ex-Manchester United boss, David Moyes and new Derby County manager, Nigel Pearson, but Di Matteo was always first choice.

    Dr. Tony Xia, the Chinese businessman whose takeover of Villa is awaiting Football League and Premier League approval, is convinced Di Matteo will raise the West Midlands club’s profile in the Championship.

     

  • Aston Villa sack Sherwood

    Aston Villa sack Sherwood

    Aston Villa has sacked manager Tim Sherwood after eight months in charge, with the club 19th in the Premier League table.

    The move follows a 2-1 defeat by Swansea on Saturday – Villa’s sixth straight loss in the league, the BBC reports.

    “The board believes the results on the pitch were simply not good enough and that a change is imperative,” the BBC quoted the club as saying in a statement.

    Under-21 manager, Kevin MacDonald, has been placed in interim charge.

    Appointed in February, Sherwood reached the FA Cup final and led the club to a 17th-placed finish in his first season in charge, but has won one of 10 league matches this term.