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Aston Villa have topped their UEFA Conference League Group after a sturdy 1-1 stalemate away against Zrinjski Mostar, thus gaining qualification into the next round of European elite competition. Boss Unai Emery has praised his boys after the game as he has hailed a “perfect” outcome from his side.
Aston Villa- the emerging heavyweights
Aston Villa might have been a club which is playing in European elite’s third-tier tournament UEFA Europa Conference League, but they have wreaked havoc in their domestic sector since last few weeks. They have defeated two of the Premier League title favorites Arsenal and Manchester City by similar margins and have raced their way into the top three of the table, surpassing heavyweights like treble winners Manchester City and Manchester United. Within few days of handing City a shock defeat of 1-0 at Villa Park, they welcomes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for a enterprising tie, which was once again won by Unai Emery’s side, thus reigning supreme in the Premier League, turning Villa Park into their fortress. Owing to some brilliant performances from World Cup winning custodian Emi Martinez to some blitzkrieg attacks from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, coupled with strict vigil from former Arsenal and Villareal man Unai Emery, Aston Villa are on the seventh heaven and are going right on the money since the start of this season.
Aston Villa through to the last 16 
#UECL pic.twitter.com/T566r4LbLA
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) December 14, 2023
A straight qualification
Aston Villa has secured a direct qualification into the next round, owing to a top spot finish at the tournament, followed by Legia Warsaw on the second place. Although Emery made eight changes from his side’s last game, with goalkeeper Filip Marschall handed his debut and Jacob Ramsay getting his first start since five months, it was on-loan Galatasaray star Zaniolo who put the visitors in front. For Zrinjski, Matija Malekinusic fired the equalizer at the closing stages of the game, it was enough for the Villans to go directly into the next round, without facing a play-off situation.
Emery was heard saying after the game about his side’s brilliant performances. He said, “We are happy because our objective was to be first in the group, with this draw we are. We tried to play with some players who are not playing regularly in the season because of injuries like Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno, and with Leander Dendoncker, Filip Marschall and Tommi O’Reilly as well.”
Unai Emery: "We are happy because today our objective was to try to be first in the group, with this draw we are."
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 14, 2023
He further added, “It’s important for them to get confidence and minutes. Tonight was perfect with the draw and result and perfect to give some of the players chances. We wanted to win, but our first objective is completely done: to be first in the group.”
“We want to enjoy the way in this competition because for us to be in Europe, it is important to remember how we achieved it last year and how we are now trying to win a trophy. We want to enjoy it with our supporters and some supporters were here with us today. It is important for them to be together and enjoy this way in Europe.”
The #UECL journey will continue in 2024!
pic.twitter.com/887Wqv8VSw
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 14, 2023
Aston Villa- the emerging heavyweights
Aston Villa might have been a club which is playing in European elite’s third-tier tournament UEFA Europa Conference League, but they have wreaked havoc in their domestic sector since last few weeks. They have defeated two of the Premier League title favorites Arsenal and Manchester City by similar margins and have raced their way into the top three of the table, surpassing heavyweights like treble winners Manchester City and Manchester United. Within few days of handing City a shock defeat of 1-0 at Villa Park, they welcomes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal for a enterprising tie, which was once again won by Unai Emery’s side, thus reigning supreme in the Premier League, turning Villa Park into their fortress. Owing to some brilliant performances from World Cup winning custodian Emi Martinez to some blitzkrieg attacks from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey, coupled with strict vigil from former Arsenal and Villareal man Unai Emery, Aston Villa are on the seventh heaven and are going right on the money since the start of this season.
Aston Villa through to the last 16 #UECL pic.twitter.com/T566r4LbLA— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) December 14, 2023
A straight qualification
Aston Villa has secured a direct qualification into the next round, owing to a top spot finish at the tournament, followed by Legia Warsaw on the second place. Although Emery made eight changes from his side’s last game, with goalkeeper Filip Marschall handed his debut and Jacob Ramsay getting his first start since five months, it was on-loan Galatasaray star Zaniolo who put the visitors in front. For Zrinjski, Matija Malekinusic fired the equalizer at the closing stages of the game, it was enough for the Villans to go directly into the next round, without facing a play-off situation.
Emery was heard saying after the game about his side’s brilliant performances. He said, “We are happy because our objective was to be first in the group, with this draw we are. We tried to play with some players who are not playing regularly in the season because of injuries like Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno, and with Leander Dendoncker, Filip Marschall and Tommi O’Reilly as well.”
Unai Emery: "We are happy because today our objective was to try to be first in the group, with this draw we are."
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 14, 2023
He further added, “It’s important for them to get confidence and minutes. Tonight was perfect with the draw and result and perfect to give some of the players chances. We wanted to win, but our first objective is completely done: to be first in the group.”
“We want to enjoy the way in this competition because for us to be in Europe, it is important to remember how we achieved it last year and how we are now trying to win a trophy. We want to enjoy it with our supporters and some supporters were here with us today. It is important for them to be together and enjoy this way in Europe.”
The #UECL journey will continue in 2024!
pic.twitter.com/887Wqv8VSw— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 14, 2023