Lionel Messi became the oldest player ever to score multiple goals at a #FIFAWorldCup match at 38 years, 357 days ๐ฎโ๐จ
Just check out this hat-trick...
When Unai Emery took over at Aston Villa in November of 2022, they were 14th and just 3 points above the relegation zone.
They won 15 of their remaining league games to finish 7th & qualify for the UEFA Conference, from there they finished 4th in the 2023/24 season, making it into the Champions League whilst simultaneously reaching the Conference League semi-finals.
Last season, they made it to a Champions League quarter-final where they were pitted against Luis Enriqueโs eventual winners PSG, only losing 5-4 on aggregate after a 3-2 second leg victory at Villa Park. They finished 6th in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League football on goal difference alone, whilst also making it to an FA Cup semi-final where they were beaten by eventual winners Crystal Palace.
This season, they are sat 4th in the Premier League with one game still to play, having guaranteed their place in next seasonโs Champions League with a win over Liverpool prior to the final weekend. Theyโve also won the Europa League with a dominant performance over Freiburg in the final, making it five Europa Leagues triumphs for Unai Emery in just 12 years at three different clubs.
The journey he has taken them on across his 3.5 years in charge is ridiculous.
Villa spent โฌ36m in the summer just gone & Freiburg spent โฌ32m
7 players that started for Villa tonight were already at the club when Emery arrived and were in a relegation battle.
One thing weโre not going to do is act like Villa bought this Europa League title.