Football

Aston Villa's resurgence under Unai Emery reached new heights as they soared to the summit of the Champions League table with a resounding 2-0 victory over Bologna. The triumph marked a historic return to the competition for Villa, who last graced the European stage in 1983.McGinn's exquisite free-kick broke the deadlock in the second half, his curling effort finding the far corner beyond the reach of the Bologna goalkeeper. The Scottish midfielder's goal ignited the Villa Park crowd, who witnessed their team's dominance throughout the match.Emery's tactical acumen was evident as he rotated his squad, making four changes without compromising the team's performance. The introduction of Jhon Duran proved decisive, with the Colombian striker netting his sixth goal of the season with a clinical finish.Villa's strength from set-pieces has been a cornerstone of their success under Emery. McGinn's free-kick was a testament to their prowess, while Ezri Konsa's return from injury added further solidity to the defense.The victory extended Villa's winning streak in the Champions League to three games, making them the only team to achieve such a feat this season. The result has instilled a sense of boundless ambition within the squad, with McGinn declaring, "We don't want to stop here."Bologna, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing start to their Champions League campaign, with just one point from their opening three matches. The Italian side has struggled to replicate their impressive form from last season, when they qualified for the competition for the first time in 60 years.Emery's transformative impact on Villa has been remarkable. Since his arrival two years ago, he has guided the club from relegation contenders to European contenders. The Spaniard's ability to blend youth and experience, coupled with his tactical flexibility, has been instrumental in Villa's resurgence.With nine points already secured, Villa are well-positioned to qualify for the playoff round. However, their sights are set on securing a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the last 16. The meteoric rise of Aston Villa under Emery shows no signs of slowing down, and the future holds endless possibilities for the ambitious Midlands club.

Aston Villa, the English Premier League club, is set to host German giants Bayern Munich in a highly anticipated UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday, October 3. The match will mark Villa's return to the top tier of European football after a 41-year absence.Villa's European adventure began with a resounding 3-0 victory over Swiss side Young Boys two weeks ago. However, the upcoming match against Bayern Munich evokes memories of the club's greatest triumph: the 1982 European Cup final victory over the same opponents.Villa manager Unai Emery is hoping his team can channel the spirit of that historic night and pull off an upset against the Bundesliga champions. Bayern Munich, led by star striker Robert Lewandowski, will be a formidable opponent, but Villa will be buoyed by the support of their home crowd at Villa Park.The match will be a clash of styles, with Villa's attacking flair likely to be tested by Bayern's renowned defensive solidity. Villa will need to be clinical in front of goal and minimize their mistakes to have a chance of victory.The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network in India at 12:30 AM IST on Thursday, October 3. It will also be streamed live on SonyLiv.

Olympiakos stunned Aston Villa 4-2 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, putting themselves in a commanding position ahead of the return fixture in Athens.Despite being in their first European semi-final in over four decades, Olympiakos showed no signs of nerves. Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a VAR-assisted offside check. The Moroccan striker doubled his tally just before the half-hour mark, exploiting Villa's defensive frailties.Villa, who were favorites to lift the trophy, managed to pull one back through Ollie Watkins in stoppage time. However, their hopes of a comeback were short-lived as El Kaabi completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 55th minute. Santiago Hezze's deflected strike further extended Olympiakos' lead.Villa's misery was compounded by Douglas Luiz's missed penalty in the 84th minute. The Brazilian's effort hit the post, leaving Unai Emery's side with a mountain to climb in the second leg.In the other semi-final, Fiorentina secured a narrow 3-2 victory over 10-man Club Brugge. Riccardo Sottil's early goal was canceled out by Hans Vanaken's penalty, but Andrea Belotti restored Fiorentina's lead before halftime.Raphael Onyedika's red card for two quickfire yellow cards gave Brugge an uphill battle. However, Igor Thiago equalized for the Belgians, only for M'Bala Nzola to snatch a late winner for Fiorentina.

Aston Villa, under the guidance of seasoned European tactician Unai Emery, embark on their first European semi-final in over four decades against Olympiakos on Thursday. Emery, a four-time Europa League champion, aims to add the Europa Conference League trophy to his illustrious resume and complete Villa's transformation from a sleeping giant.When Emery took over in November 2022, Villa languished near the Premier League relegation zone. However, he steered them to a seventh-place finish, securing European qualification for the first time since 2010. Captain John McGinn praised Emery's meticulous approach and obsession with football, crediting him with transforming the club's culture.Villa's European campaign has been marked by memorable victories, including a 4-0 triumph over Ajax and a dramatic penalty shootout win against Lille. Their impressive performances have earned them the tag of favorites to lift the trophy.Despite a recent setback in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea, Villa remain confident heading into the semi-final. Olympiakos, currently fourth in the Greek league, is not expected to pose a significant threat. The winners will face either Fiorentina or Club Brugge in the final.Emery's contract extension until 2027 has further boosted Villa's optimism. His track record of success at clubs aiming to compete with the European elite bodes well for the club's future.Emery's attention to detail and unwavering belief in his players have created a squad hungry for European glory. Villa fans are eagerly anticipating the possibility of their first Champions League appearance since 1982, a testament to the remarkable transformation under Emery's leadership.

Aston Villa's resurgence under Unai Emery has propelled them to the cusp of Champions League qualification, a feat that would evoke memories of their European triumph in 1982. Emery's tactical acumen and motivational prowess have instilled a newfound belief and purpose in the Villa squad, propelling them to fourth place in the Premier League standings.However, the race for the coveted fourth spot remains fiercely contested, with Tottenham Hotspur lurking just behind. With only three matches remaining in the season, Villa face a daunting task to maintain their position. Their upcoming fixtures against Brighton, Liverpool, and Crystal Palace will serve as a litmus test for their maturity and resilience.Villa's 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Saturday was a minor setback, but it did not significantly damage their position. Tottenham's subsequent 2-3 loss to Arsenal has given Villa a seven-point cushion. However, the remaining schedule poses significant challenges.Tottenham, despite having two games in hand, face an equally daunting task. They must navigate encounters with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City. While Villa's quality and determination have been evident throughout the season, the race for fourth place remains tantalizingly close.Emery's tactical innovations have been instrumental in Villa's success. His emphasis on ball control, innovation, and mental fortitude has transformed the team into a formidable force. The return of European football to Villa Park would be a fitting reward for their remarkable resurgence.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa dealt a significant blow to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The result leaves Manchester City firmly in control of the title race, with Arsenal and Liverpool both faltering in their respective matches.Villa's victory was built on a solid defensive performance, with the visitors soaking up Arsenal's pressure for much of the game. The Gunners controlled possession but struggled to create clear-cut chances, while Villa looked dangerous on the counterattack.The breakthrough came in the 84th minute when Leon Bailey tapped home from close range after Lucas Digne's cross found him unmarked in the Arsenal penalty area. Two minutes later, Ollie Watkins doubled Villa's lead with a clinical finish after being played through on goal by Youri Tielemans.The defeat was Arsenal's first in the league this year and leaves them two points behind Manchester City with six games remaining. Liverpool's title hopes also took a hit with a 1-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace earlier in the day.Emery's victory over his former club was particularly sweet, as it was the second time this season that Villa had held Arsenal's high-flying attack scoreless. The result could prove costly for Mikel Arteta's team, who are now facing an uphill battle to win their first Premier League title since 2004.For Villa, the win puts them three points ahead of Tottenham in fourth place, although Spurs have a game in hand. The victory also gives Emery's team a boost in their bid to qualify for European competition next season.

The Premier League title race is heating up as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City battle for supremacy. Arsenal, under the guidance of Mikel Arteta, holds a slim lead over Liverpool on goal difference and Manchester City by one point. However, former Arsenal manager Unai Emery poses a significant threat to the Gunners' title hopes when he brings his Aston Villa side to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.Emery's Villa has been in impressive form this season, and they have already defeated Arsenal 1-0 at Villa Park in December. Arsenal, on the other hand, has been in red-hot form in the league, winning 10 of their past 11 games.Meanwhile, Manchester City and Liverpool are also in contention for the title. City, the defending champions, are heavy favorites to beat Luton, while Liverpool is expected to overcome Crystal Palace. However, both teams will be keeping a close eye on the Arsenal-Villa clash.In the battle for survival at the bottom of the table, Brentford, Everton, Nottingham Forest, Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United are all embroiled in a desperate fight. Everton's recent two-point deduction has plunged them deeper into the relegation mire, but defender Jarrad Branthwaite remains confident that the Toffees can avoid the drop.