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Aston Villa cut down Nottingham Forest to book Europa League final spot

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 7: Emi Buendia and Lucas Digne of Aston Villa celebrate after he scores his penalty during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Semi-Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Villa Park on May 7, 2026 in
Emiliano Buendia (l) scored from the penalty spot

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.

Aston Villa's Scottish midfielder #07 John McGinn

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 20 May.

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.

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