Aston Villa headlines for Monday, April 24. Villa can keep living Unai Emery dream The "cup finals" are coming thick and fast for Aston Villa. A 10-game winning-run may have set them on their way to
Premier League promotion four years ago, but Unai Emery’s men face an even more daunting task in their bid to play European
Football next term. Emery’s Villa stretched their unbeaten run to nine games as they claimed an important point at Brentford on Saturday. Their recent statement victory over Newcastle proved that Villa belong in the battle for the European spots. However, they now face another six "cup finals" as they tussle with Tottenham, Brighton and
Liverpool for position. Next up, a vital clash with Fulham on Tuesday night. Three points would see Villa leap into 5th at Tottenham's expense. The Villa Park crowd, who were in full voice against Newcastle, will know exactly what is at stake. Read the full story READ: Players all saying same thing as Villa dressing room reacts to Brentford draw READ: 'The only negative' - Villa sent Euro message after Newcastle demolition of Spurs Euro roadmap set out Aston Villa have the dream of European football in their own hands as Unai Emery’s side head towards their final six games of the season. A phenomenal run of form has seen Villa shoot up the table, from battling relegation at the start of Emery’s reign, then eyeing a top-ten finish to genuine contenders for European football. Their remaining fixtures see the club in control of their own destiny, with vital games against Manchester United, Liverpool,
Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton all still to come. And with
Manchester City now set to meet
Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley next month, we have taken a closer look at the permutations that could see Villa qualify for European football… Read the full story Villa face transfer blow Aston Villa could be set for an early summer transfer blow after it was reported that Tottenham have made the first move to sign Pedro Goncalves. According to Portuguese outlet Record, via Sportwitness , Spurs have made contact with Sporting Lisbon in order to try to beat Villa to the attacking midfielder's signature. It is said the 24-year-old has an €80m buyout clause, with the player’s former club Famalicão due half the fee. Sporting are said to want the full €80m, although are likely to negotiate. Villa were reportedly among four Premier League clubs to send scouts to watch
Juventus take on Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League this week. Read the full story Luiz reacts to crucial goal Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz has outlined his joy at scoring the side’s late equalising goal in the 1-1 draw against Brentford. Villa looked to be heading for a first league defeat in nine games, when they fell behind to Ivan Toney’s strike at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The striker found the net in the 65th minute, following the half time substitution of Emi Martinez due to illness. But with just three minutes left to play, Luiz stepped up to finish past David Raya and ensure that Villa took something from the game and maintain their unbeaten run. The result leaves Villa in sixth place in the table, just two points behind Tottenham, ahead of their clash against Newcastle on Sunday. Read the full story