Aston Villa enjoyed a perfect send off ahead of the Europa League final as a 4-2 win over Liverpool booked their place in next season’s Champions League and left the Reds still sweating over their qualification.
Ollie Watkins’ double, which will surely secure his place in England’s World Cup squad, and classy goals from Morgan Rogers and John McGinn guaranteed Unai Emery’s men will finish in the top five of the Premier League with a game to spare.
They can now head to Istanbul for Wednesday’s European final against Freiburg knowing their domestic ambitions have been achieved, allowing them to put their full focus on winning a first continental trophy in 44 years.
It is another fine achievement for Villa, whose progress under Emery shows no signs of stopping and they will play in the premier European competition for the second time in three years.
“Absolutely fantastic. Brilliant. The response of the supporters, very, very grateful, and the players, very, very grateful,” Emery told Villa’s official media channels.
“And this achievement is really fantastic. Europe, Champions League, 62 points, testing against Liverpool today. Since I (came) here, we didn’t beat them, today is the first match we beat them.
“It’s really fantastic, and as well, deserving it. Of course, struggling. Of course, tough match the first half, the second half better. But how we are again in Champions League is really fantastic.
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“I think our development makes sense, playing Europe, (it) makes sense more playing Champions League. And then to compete like we did last year, or like we are doing this year is something fantastic, because it’s so, so demanding.
“Now we are 37 matches, playing today. And here at home, how we did today the last match (was) really fantastic. Absolutely brilliant, how we enjoyed the atmosphere we have here.”
And with a place in Europe’s elite now secure, NSWE can begin to look to the summer and how best to back their manager, with a deal for an experienced midfielder in the pipeline.
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Indeed, according to reports in Portugal, via Sport Witness, Villa are eyeing a last-ditch attempt to sign Sporting CP midfielder Hidemasa Morita, who is out of contract this summer.
Leeds have been considered the frontrunners for the 31 year-old midfielder for some time and submitted a formal offer last week to the soon to be free agent.
However, O Jogo now claim both Villa and Brighton have joined the race and want to sign the Japan international from under Leeds’ noses.
Morita has played 30 times in Liga Portugal this campaign and made a further 11 appearances in the Champions League, so his durability and experience could prove vital for Emery across four competitions next season.
A defensive midfielder by trade, he can also play further forward as a box-to-box option and has provided five assists in all competitions this term.
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