Aston Villa

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"I will need tomorrow to take my day off and recover," said Unai Emery after Aston Villa's 4-3 win over Sunderland. It came as surprising news to anyone who has watched and listened to him over three years - Emery, the perpetual-motion football manager, takes days off now?

He could hardly be begrudged one after seeing his team lose control of a game they had largely commanded, and then struggle to summon the energy to restore their position, or even avoid losing it entirely.

The Libero football podcast suggested this week that the freewheeling nature of the match was the product of both teams having essentially met their targets for this season, that pressure removed. That theory fits the material evidence, and after Chelsea's defeat on Saturday night, Villa's top-five status must have seemed from afar to be assured.

But the manic response in the stadium to Trai Hume's goal pulling it back to 3-2 – on the pitch, in the stands and particularly the technical area – told of something else.

Last May, Villa fumbled a Champions League place in the final game and have had to juggle the financial consequences since then. Missing it again, especially with the time approaching when the dependable core of their squad will finally need an update, would make a definite difference to their next steps. They are built to reach the Champions League and need to be there. You can expect Unai Emery to be along on this page in a couple of days' time to tell you they are not there yet.

Even if, or when, that spot is secured, the next year will still have a wide range of possible outcomes.

A Champions League campaign would put a Villa squad, still being carefully managed to avoid serious breaches of the financial regulations, under more strain. Like Newcastle a year ago, Villa are set for a second appearance in three seasons in Europe's biggest tournament, but Newcastle's difficulties this campaign are a clear example of how difficult it is to develop from occasional to regular Champions League status.

As the core of Villa's squad grows gracefully older together, having more hits than misses from their transfer dealings will be essential.

These are all challenges to which some minds at Villa are already fully tuned, no doubt with input also from Emery himself. But while Sunday's Hollywood-ready finish brought Villa's prime target that much closer, it reminded us that the long-term goals and grand plans are only part of the story.

The real joy, that Emery, the players and their fans all felt together, is in the thrill of the chase.

Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Aston Villa at 12.30pm on Saturday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM]

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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David Michael
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's recent wobble, which reached its height with three consecutive league defeats a month ago, is firmly in the rear view mirror.

Form has been restored, with recent performances against Bologna and Sunderland among the best of the season, although a dramatic final 10 minutes against the Black Cats at Villa Park left this narrative hanging on the thinnest of threads.

At 3-1 up and after some impressively worked goals against a robust, well-organised Sunderland side, the sense took hold that Villa genuinely had the strength and purpose to win the Europa League and see out the league campaign inside the top four.

The self-sabotage of those closing minutes complicated that confident outlook, but they will take comfort from their ability to win out in the end. It is a trait they may well need to lean on in the Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest and beyond.

With Villa's immediate ambitions increasingly in sight, you can be forgiven for glancing at the potentially transformative bigger picture forming around them. Because while they chase silverware and a Champions League place, the Premier League landscape is shifting.

Spurs are facing the bleak reality of relegation. Chelsea's route back to the Champions League looks increasingly uncertain, unless a specific chain of events falls into place: they finish sixth, Villa finish fifth and Villa do them a favour by winning the Europa League to open an additional qualification spot. Newcastle, once considered the club most likely to break up the established order alongside Villa, have slumped badly from that expectation this season.

A genuine vacancy is opening up, as structural change to the much-mooted Premier League big six seems to be inevitable.

If they meet their objectives this season, then Villa are increasingly looking like the side ready to take a seat at the reshuffled top table.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Aston Villa announcing an accelerated timeline for Villa Park's North Stand redevelopment.

We particularly wanted to hear from those of you who have season tickets in the stand, amid plans to close the whole area next season.

Here are some of your replies:

James: I'll be one of the relocated season-ticket holders. While I'm not relishing sitting elsewhere next season, I'm excited for the long overdue upgrade to the North Stand. I just hope I will be back near my football mates when we return in 2027-28.

Hadders: It's a strange decision to close the North Stand for a season rather than keep it open while work continues for two seasons. But Villa, to their credit, have given North Stand season-ticket holders like myself lots of options for next season so we'll look forward to a new view. But, to be honest, the view in the stadium is impressive from everywhere.

Mark: It's great that it is going to be completed quicker but for members it is going to be a lot harder to access tickets for matches, with smaller capacity and season-ticket holders being relocated, which will be a disappointment for me and my boys! But I'm looking forward to seeing the end product and hopefully there are many more successful years to come for me and my boys to see!

David: Two years ago, they said they didn't want to close the North Stand for redevelopment because they didn't want reduced attendances for a Champions League season, yet here they are doing that exact thing now. If they had done it then, it would be complete now.

Duncan: I hope my season ticket on the Holte End isn't going to go up to compensate for the loss of revenue from the North Stand closure? If so, there could be a lot of fans having second thoughts.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have announced an accelerated timeline for the North Stand redevelopment at Villa Park which will involve the closure of the stand next season.

Original plans were to redevelop across two seasons, but now the stand will just be closed for the entirety of the 2026-27 season while the work takes place - a move which will see capacity fall to around 37,000.

The redevelopment will increase the overall capacity of Villa Park to over 50,000, and create around 500 square metres of new first-team changing, medical and physiotherapy facilities, alongside the upgrade of all player competition areas.

Season ticket holders forced to relocate for the 2026-27 season will be given the opportunity to renew their ticket in an alternative area of Villa Park at the same price level and get priority access to return to the redeveloped North Stand for the 2027-28 season.

A statement from the club answered key questions for fans, external and read: "This decision has been taken following extensive planning and assessment, and reflects the club's commitment to minimising disruption for supporters while delivering meaningful improvements to both the fan and footballing experience at Villa Park.

"The new, accelerated plan for the works also incorporates operational efficiencies, which will lead to significant cost savings and a shorter timeline.

"By completing the works within a single season, the club will limit disruption to one campaign rather than extending it across two seasons. This will allow us to open the new North Stand standard seating and concourse facilities for the full 2027-28 season, meaning supporters can enjoy the new stand sooner."

Villa fans, what do you make of the news? Will your season ticket be affected? And are you happy the redevelopment will be accelerated?

Let us know here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Sebastian: A totally crazy game - with Villa dominating and a performance from McGinn worth two players. But you get sloppy and in this league you get punished against the run of play, hence the beauty of football and the uselessness of XG and any other invented measures apart from the only one that actually counts. Great positioning for Villa's goals, if we never see Sancho again I can live with that. Onwards and up the Villa.

Kim: Phew, what a result. Villa looked to be in control and comfortable and then two lapses in concentration left Sunderland with chances to win. Great to see Villa fighting to the end and not settling for the draw. Great finish by Tammy with a deft touch for the win. Amazing performance by Ollie Watkins and good saves by Emi too. Exciting end to the season looms.

Ian: Well what a rollercoaster of a game! Credit to Sunderland who I think have been one of the better sides to come to Villa Park. Having said that we had enough opportunities in the second half to make it a much easier win but got the job done in the end. Watkins and McGinn were outstanding so let's keep the momentum and confidence until the end of season. Keep the faith!

Matt: Wow. Not a game for the faint-hearted! A game well controlled by Villa up until the substitution and introduction of Sancho. What a waste of space. Not up to the pace, needs to go. On the other hand, Abraham and Digne linking up beautifully to save his blushes, stealing the points after nearly throwing them away but for a world class piece of goalkeeping from Martinez. Breathe...UTV.

Sunderland fans

Gilly: At last Regis le Bris has given us a team who believe in themselves as much as the fans believe in them. To Regis, thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Malcolm: I'm sure players respond to Regis because once the game starts he largely lets them express themselves. He's unlike many/most managers who try to orchestrate every move made turning players into robots. This calming approach must give our squad a great sense of being trusted and respected. Le Bris is bringing to us a whole new ball game. His post match comments are never less than intelligent, elegant, and he's ours.

Geoff: Great game for the neutral, and to be honest, if anyone told me we'd be competing for a place in Europe having avoided the drop two games ago, I'd snatch their hands off. Very proud to be a Mackem!

Stuart: Never saw that comeback materialising but our motto is "til the end". Probably didn't deserve a draw so fair play to Villa but it's been a magnificent season. Ha'way The Lads.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is on the radar of Manchester United and Real Madrid, although Villa remain confident of keeping him. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

• Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland

• Nottingham Forest 4-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-2 Liverpool

Josef Rindl
BBC Sport Journalist

Tammy Abraham's strike was just his third goal for Aston Villa since he rejoined the club from Besiktas in January.

His last goal - a late equaliser against Leeds seven league games ago in February - was equally dramatic.

Villa need just six more points to ensure Champions League qualification, with Premier League games against Fulham, Tottenham, Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester City still to come.

Abraham may have got the winner but the striker he replaced, Ollie Watkins, was Villa's star with two goals and an assist.

The 30-year-old's performance will also have helped his chances of making England's World Cup squad.

Watkins has now scored 16 goals in all competitions this season and five in four games since he was left out of Thomas Tuchel's last England squad in March.

Harry Kane is the only Englishman playing in the top five leagues to have scored more goals.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I will need tomorrow to take a day off and recover. I am so happy. 90 minutes we played how we wanted to perform. We conceded two goals in a crazy minute, we lost our minds.

"Until minute 75, we were playing a very good match. The last 20 minutes with extra time, things changed because they scored two goals. Sometimes we need to show our heart and our passion, and enthusiasm. All or nothing. It's very important to me those three points."

On conceding twice in one minute: "Normally we are organised, it's our first objective. We try not to lose our position and after the first goal, we lost our focus, and they used their threat to score the third goal. They had other chances to score the fourth goal and we would have lost the match.

"Always there are things we must improve and analyse. The league is so tight, and we are there to achieve. One point is tough and today was the example."

Aston Villa matchwinner Tammy Abraham, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think we got too relaxed and made a few mistakes and Sunderland punished us. They are a good team.

"As a striker, watching Ollie [Watkins] today, he was staying alive in the box and when I came on I told myself to do the same thing. Luckily for me, I was in the right place at the right time.

"We are a team that believes in ourselves. We are doing so well this season, we just have to carry on with the confidence."

On the fans: "They're the best. I was lucky to be here in the promotion years, so I knew all about them and every game they bring us confidence and support us day in and day out. I love them."

Did you know?

• Ollie Watkins scored after just 1:38, the fastest goal for Aston Villa in the Premier League this season.

• Tammy Abraham's winner, assisted by Lucas Digne, was the first time Aston Villa have scored a 90th-minute winner in a Premier League game with two substitutes combining to score it.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Villa's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Aston Villa make three changes from their midweek win over Bologna. Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley come into the side.

Lucas Digne and Emi Buendia drop to the bench. Pau Torres misses out.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Barkley, Watkins, Rogers.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Buendia, Digne, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Bogarde, Bailey.

As for Sunderland, well they're unchanged from their 1-0 win over Tottenham last weekend.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, O'Nien, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Sadiki, Xhaka, Rigg, Diarra, Le Fee, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Ballard, Geertruida, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Hume, Jones.

I was at the Stadium of Light for the reverse fixture earlier in the season and Sunderland played really well with 10 men in a 1-1 draw.

I watched the Black Cats again against Tottenham last week, and they are so well organised. They don't give a lot away.

I can see this being another tight game, but Aston Villa are at home and they really need a win to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Sunderland

• Everton v Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest v Burnley

• Man City v Arsenal (16:30 BST)

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction to the early games here and the late match here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport Journalist

Aston Villa host Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST) as both sides approach the closing weeks of the Premier League season with clear ambitions. Villa are aiming to protect a strong position in the quest for Champions League qualification, while Sunderland have momentum and want to keep their dream of European football alive.

Will Villa hold their nerve?

With six games remaining, Aston Villa remain well placed to secure Champions League qualification, holding a seven-point cushion prior to the weekend. Having missed out on a top-five finish on goal difference last season, there is added incentive not to surrender their place so late on this time.

Recent form, however, explains why the race is not yet settled. After being eight points clear of fourth and 11 ahead of sixth after 21 matches, Villa have taken just 12 points from their last 11 league games, the fifth-worst return in the division over that period.

But the issue seems to have been game management rather than control. Since the start of February, only Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions than the seven by Villa, who have won just two of their last five matches after taking the lead.

Unai Emery's record against promoted sides provides reassurance. Villa have never lost a Premier League match to a promoted team under him (W14, D5), with their last such defeat coming against Fulham in Steven Gerrard's last game in charge in October 2022.

Yet Sunderland offer a note of caution, being one of only three Premier League opponents the Spaniard has faced without recording a league win. They drew in the reverse fixture early this season.

Villa stalwarts making their mark

Striker Ollie Watkins' form has been up and down but he scored for the fourth time in as many games on Thursday night as Villa reached the Europa League semi-finals. In doing so, he became the club's first centurion since Peter McParland in the early 1960s.

John McGinn is another player whose importance to Villa is immense. Their reliance on the Scot is stark: a 56% win rate with him involved this season, compared to 28.6% without him.

History on the line for Sunderland

Sunderland are buoyant, sitting two points outside the Europa League places after collecting 46 points, already their best top-flight return at this stage since 2010–11. Victory would lift Régis Le Bris' side to 49 points, their highest since 2000–01, and solidify genuine European belief.

The Black Cats have won their last two matches and are chasing three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time in more than a decade. Although winless in their last six away league games in the West Midlands, the stakes are high on Sunday as Sunderland chase only their second European campaign, after the 1973–74 Cup Winners' Cup.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Villa Park (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The Aston Villa boss said they are "excited" about the challenge of competing in two competitions after reaching the Europa League semi-finals. "We are glad and delighted to be now, in the moment we are, after some parts of the season not performing, struggling and other parts of the season really being fantastic."

• He added: "Now, the key moment in the season, we are involved in those two competitions, Premier League - the priority - and Europa League, in the semi-final. We are motivated, we are excited, we have the challenge. The challenge is to keep those two competitions being in the level we are."

• Emery did admit competing on both fronts is a big challenge and added: "We must be focusing each competition and each moment, like now we are, and this Sunday against Sunderland. The challenge is a huge challenge for us, competing in both competitions like we are. Why? Because it's not easy to be in the level we are in those competitions."

• He said finishing in the top four or five of the Premier League is "most important".

• The Villa boss said Sunday's opponents Sunderland are one of the teams "performing fantastic" in the Premier League this year but that his Villa team are feeling "comfortable and confident".

• On the impact of set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, Emery said: "Set-pieces are very important, especially in the Premier League. Austin is very, very creative. We are speaking about set-pieces and trying to get an advantage to compete through it but other teams are the same way."

Listen to commentary of Aston Villa v Sunderland from 13:55 GMT on Sunday on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Villa? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A commanding 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna sealed Aston Villa's place in the Europa League semi-final with minimum fuss at Villa Park. And it barely registered as a momentous occasion - a marker of progress achieved under Unai Emery, who has transformed the club and raised standards and expectations in recent seasons.

This is Villa's second European semi-final in three seasons under the Spanish manager, following a Conference League run in 2023-24, and comes after a Champions League quarter-final appearance last season.

"If someone told me we'd be fighting for the Champions League and in a semi-final of the Europa League a couple of years ago I'd have bitten their hand off," said Ollie Watkins, who scored three goals over two legs against Bologna.

"So we are just trying to take it all in and enjoy the process," Villa's latest member of the 100-goal club told TNT Sports.

They are also firmly in the Premier League top-five race, sitting in fourth place with six games remaining and targeting a return to the Champions League via the league.

A European semi-final against Nottingham Forest now awaits them, and 10 years on from the despair of relegation, this feels like the new normal for Villa under Emery.

• Read Nick's assessment of Villa's progress as a club

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Europa League game between Aston Villa and Bologna.

Here are some of your comments:

Matt: Professional. Disciplined. Calculated. Aggressive. What a performance. Villa on the front foot to put the tie to bed early doors. Great to see Morgan Rogers and Emi Buendia being a threat again. Stalwart midfield. Next, two legs against Nottingham Forest to get to the final. If we had played with this conviction against Forest on Sunday in the Premier League, it would've been the same result. Now we have two games against them for silverware, surely we can start dreaming now? UTV.

Steve: Perfection, the Master has delivered - thank you, Unai. May you stay as head of this club for a very, very long time. Perfect game play. The most loved manager in the Premier League!

Prit: That's the Villa performance I've been waiting for all season. Four goals, four different goalscorers (and quality goals too), clean sheet and through to our second European semi-final in three years. Brilliant Villa, brilliant Unai, now let's win the thing (and finish third d in the Premier League, please). UTV.

Rob: Rogers' penalty aside, Villa put on a perfect performance. I thought we dealt with Bologna's press incredibly well and the build-up to each of our goals was incredible. That has to be one of Villa's best European games under Emery. Obviously, Forest are going to be much tougher to beat in the semis, but bring them on and UTV!

Mossy: A very comfortable win against a side that left their performance at home in the first half of the first leg. Getting the first goal was crucial and Villa just got the job done, a massive semi-final ahead now. All English cup games are never easy and it could go either way, I think whoever wins that semi-final will go on to lift the trophy. Nice to have a stress-free night to enjoy at Villa Park for a change. I was worried before the game but their main threat, Jonathan Rowe, was a shadow compared to the brilliant show he put on in Bologna. He barely featured at all, well managed by Villa, job done.

Liam: A fantastic team working for each other all over the park. Semi-final beckons, Forest over two legs is not an easy game at all. We will have to be at the top of our game, however, I truly believe that this is our year, our time to banish thirty years of hurt and qualify for the Champions League. UTV.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's quest for European silverware continues after a commanding quarter-final victory over Bologna.

They will now face Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest for a place in the Europa League final in Istanbul.

The first leg will be played at The City Ground on 30 April before the return leg at Villa Park on 7 May.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery after the rampant win against Bologna: "I have my own experiences knowing how difficult it is in Europe, the process that we are doing and the demand.

"We extended the game plan that we did there last week in Bologna. We wanted to stop them and impose our way. The performance and quality form the two matches has been fantastic, but difficult. We have won this [quarter-final] clearly."

On Ollie Watkins' 100th goal for Villa: "Indeed, the numbers are very important. For him, this is a special day because he achieved it. We want to help them and support them to achieve different objectives they have.

"We need him scoring goals and assists. The strikers are very important. The minutes he played today were good but there is still work to do."

On facing Nottingham Forest in the semi-final: "It's important for both teams. They have the momentum in their history of doing it at the highest level. It's going to be a very good semi-final for both teams and the supporters.

"I know how hard it is to play in semi-finals."

Captain John McGinn speaking to TNT Sports: "We needed to get the first goal, it was very important. They are a dangerous team away from home. A great first half gets us to a semi-final. I'm delighted.

"They press you aggressively. Last week we didn't pass it forward enough."

On Watkins' achievement: "It's a great achievement for a massive club."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have won each of their last nine European games, setting the outright longest winning run by an English team in Uefa Cup/Europa League history.

• Ollie Watkins is now the outright top goalscorer in major European competition for Aston Villa with 10 goals, overtaking Peter Withe and John McGinn who scored nine each.

Hear more from Emery speaking after the match on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play below

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa did much of the hard work in the first leg where they ran out 3-1 winners in Italy.

Ollie Watkins struck twice - including a decisive goal in 94th minute - to give Villa a firm grip on the quarter-final tie and his timing was impeccable again at Villa Park, opening the scoring early to allay any fears of an improbable Bologna comeback.

Finishing off a slick team move which involved nine Villa players, Watkins became the 11th player to hit 100 goals for the club and the first since Peter McParland in 1962 to reach the milestone.

He also became their outright top scorer in major European competition with 10 goals, overtaking Peter Withe and McGinn.

Since his Villa debut on 15 September 2020, only Mohamed Salah (159) and Erling Haaland (157) have scored more goals than Watkins in all competitions.

With five goals in seven matches now, he did his chances of making it to England's World Cup squad no harm with another clinical display as Villa's main attacking figure as they chase their first major continental honour since winning the European Cup in 1982.

They have barely had to break a sweat in the competition on their way to the last four with an unexpected 2-1 defeat by Go Ahead Eagles in the Netherlands the only blip in an otherwise spotless campaign.

With seven wins in eight league stage fixtures, they finished level on 21 points with table toppers Lyon before overcoming Lille 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16.

But they stepped up a gear in the semi-final second leg against Bologna, the reigning Coppa Italia champions managed by Vincenzo Italiano, who guided Fiorentina to back-to-back Conference League finals in 2022-23 and 23-24.

English winger Jonathan Rowe had created plenty of problems for Villa in the first leg but this time, Emery's side were almost flawless, dealing calmly with what little threat that came their way while proving ruthless in front of the goal yet again.

With their striker in full flow, John McGinn back fit to add energy and leadership to the midfield and Rogers ending his goal drought, Villa look more than capable of going all the way and claim their first continental trophy in 44 years.