Aston Villa ease past Forest to set up Europa League final against Freiburg
By Jonathan Veal, Press Association
Aston Villa are through to their first European final in 44 years after they thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-0 in the all-English Europa League semi-final to advance 4-1 on aggregate.
Boss Unai Emery is now one win away from a fifth title in a competition he specialises in, and only Bundesliga outfit Freiburg stand between Villa and their first major trophy in 30 years.
They came into the second leg trailing to Chris Wood’s penalty last week, but no one knows their way around a Europa League semi-final better than Emery.
His side turned the tie around in style as goals from Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn’s quickfire double earned victory on the night and booked their place in the Istanbul final on May 20th.
Villa got a royal seal of approval from Prince William, who was in raptures as he watched his beloved side produce one of the most famous nights in the club’s history.
Emery has transformed Villa since he took the reins in November 2022, taking them to the Europa Conference League semi-final two years ago and then the Champions League quarter-final last term, while regularly competing at the top end of the Premier League.
