When Unai Emery accepted the challenge of reviving Aston Villa at a time when the club was fretting about relegation to the Championship, he voiced his desire to return to European competition.
It was punchy, part of a grand plan and, for supporters, a particularly exciting soundbite, but back then the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final date with Paris Saint‑Germain, one of Emery’s former clubs, felt fanciful. The Villa manager has delivered unequivocally on his wish. The Champions League furniture – the oversized badges, the giant tifos and 3D signage – will get at least another outing this season.
Written by Ben Fisher at Villa Park
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/12/aston-villa-club-brugge-champions-league-last-16-second-leg-match-report under the title “Asensio’s double breaks 10-man Brugge as Aston Villa bulldoze into last eight”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
