Aston Villa Report

Jacob Tanswell

“Never write this manager off,” said an Aston Villa source earlier in the week. #AVFC delivered - from the start of the week to the euphoric scenes at the end. This is how they did it: @theathleticfc.bsky.social https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7262382/2026/05/08/aston-villa-euro

Jacob Tanswell

Emery, when asked about the players being extremely fired up: "Yes, yes. They were so so focused and aware of the momentum. We planned before, emotionally, how we were playing the match. It was the only match we played with these circumstances." #AVFC

Jacob Tanswell

Emery: “Europe for me is very important. My first press conference here I was speaking about Europe and trophies. It’s very difficult to get trophies & be consistent in Europe like we are. It’s through our hard work. “Today I think the players, they got their best today." #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery: "If we lose the final, we achieve nothing. Against Burnley, we have another opportunity because overall we are so consistent in 35 matches, but not the last part of that. We have to focus on Sunday and get Champions League positions. Then, play the final." #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery: "The atmosphere was huge. It was a huge atmosphere that the supporters created. They played with us." #AVFC

John Townley

Unai Emery on Prince William: "He was in the dressing room with the players and with me. He was so happy!" #AVFC

John Townley

John McGinn insists he and his teammates must now embrace the opportunity to become #AVFC "legends" after booking their place in the Europa League final. "It's such a proud football club, it deserves success, and hopefully we can be the group to do it." https://www.birminghammail

John Townley

John McGinn: "It's about embracing it [pressure] and trying to become legends. You see the guys from 1982 and the cup winners in the 90s. There’s been massive lows, like relegation, but it's such a proud club, it deserves success and I hope we can be the group to do it." #AVFC

John Townley

John McGinn: "What we have done in the last few weeks have been exceptional. The margins are so slim - if we lose tonight then we are the nearly men. When we go to Istanbul, we need to make sure that we are not the nearly men." [TNT] #AVFC

John Townley

John McGinn on Villa fans: "We've been through a lot together. We have had low moments, definitely. It’s a demanding club to play, but when it’s like this, Villa Park is electric. There’s no better place to play your football every second week or European football." [TNT] #AVFC