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Author Topic: UEFA Europa Conference League - Alkmaar, Legia and Zrinjski  (Read 519620 times)

Offline Monty

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1890 on: May 29, 2023, 11:58:43 AM »
There is also a chance we could play Juve which, to be clear, I want with everything I have in my petty little soul. I've met some true wanker Juventini here for whom Villa are just some 'small kleb' you scroll past on Fifa to get to 'Manchesterrr'. Beating them would give me unreal joy.

Offline eamonn

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1891 on: May 29, 2023, 12:01:29 PM »

Offline Dogtanian

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1892 on: May 29, 2023, 12:06:06 PM »

Offline OCD

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1893 on: May 29, 2023, 12:08:00 PM »



This was the seeding pots this season. TBH some tough looking potential ties in there.


Always strange to see a team called Young Boys.

Offline Richard E

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1894 on: May 29, 2023, 12:12:32 PM »



This was the seeding pots this season. TBH some tough looking potential ties in there.


Always strange to see a team called Young Boys.

Philip Schofield is a big fan.

Offline Toronto Villa

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1895 on: May 29, 2023, 01:16:56 PM »
Quote
Aston Villa are back in Europe. The giant is waking up.

By Gregg Evans

The noise was unfathomable. The celebrations wild.

As a seventh-place finish secured qualification to the Europa Conference League play-off round and a return to competing on the continent for the first time in 13 years, Aston Villa’s owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens rejoiced.

On the pitch, they hugged the inspirational captain John McGinn, who led the team to a 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Unai Emery, the manager who made all this happen, raised his hands with a typically low-key but proud celebration. “I’ll have a champagne because it’s a champagne moment,” he laughed after.

Emi Martinez, meanwhile, dropped to the floor and counted his blessings. Diego Carlos piggybacked a topless Douglas Luiz, the player of the season and scorer of one of Villa’s goals alongside Ollie Watkins. Tyrone Mings remained as cool as a cucumber and said: “We didn’t let the fans down.”

Not a single player did, and that was appreciated in the stands as the supporters lapped it all up.

For the new generation, this felt like the next best thing to actually winning a trophy.

For those who witnessed much greater times, when Villa were the best team in the country just over 40 years ago and then the champions of Europe in 1982, they will hope this is the rebirth of a sleeping giant.

Finishing seventh is a wonderful achievement for a club that was concerned about relegation earlier this season. The extra prize money, worth around £1.5million per Premier League position, is also helpful, but still there is so much more room for growth.

Perhaps under the elite coach, Emery, this club can start dreaming about becoming elite again.

Villa are a force to be reckoned with now, no doubt. The way they finished the season shows that.

Seven home victories in a row and a total of 49 points from 25 games which included victories against Manchester United, Tottenham (twice) Chelsea, Brighton (twice) and a point against Liverpool at Anfield.

Such form over the course of the season would have seen Villa finish in the Champions League places. They have been that good since November.

And there aren’t many stadiums in England quite like Villa Park right now, either. Supporters were encouraged to turn up early to welcome the team bus and an email was sent out to members describing the day as ‘the last dance’.

Birmingham Airport turned claret and blue as supporters jetted in from Belfast and Dublin.

The scene outside the stadium as early as 90 minutes before kick-off was also quite the picture.

Sawiris, Edens and CEO Christian Purslow, all three who have been here from the start of this rebuild, were nervous but excited. When taking over in 2018 they had a plan to take Villa back into Europe within five years and despite some bumps in the road, they achieved it after flying over the final hurdle.

Brighton sang before kick-off ‘we’re all going on a European tour’ and by full-time Villa supporters were able to join in.

What an atmosphere they created, and what a performance.

Emery was right to be worried about the game, but after riding through a nervy hour of football, Villa eventually got a grip and controlled the final 30 minutes to get the job done. They pressed high and at the right time and it was enough to restrict Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

Asked how Villa got over the line, goalkeeper Martinez said: “The manager told us to play our game and I think we were outstanding from the first minute.”

Matty Cash said: “It’s a dream come true to be playing in Europe and to do it with these boys and this manager is great.”

Emery was also delighted but declared this success as only “the first step”.

“I want more moments like this,” he said.

With the Spaniard around, there’s every chance there will be.

There was so much to like about this particular victory, but Villa put all the groundwork in long before this, first by winning regularly on the road — think back to the reverse fixture with Brighton before the World Cup break that got it all started.

Villa then beat Tottenham, Leeds United, Everton and Chelsea between other results into the new year.

The players felt the pinch with fewer days off, extended training time, and longer video sessions after defeats to Manchester City, Leicester City and Arsenal, but it was that run of games where Villa conceded 11 goals that inspired a serious fix-up, and what happened next was impressive.

Villa beat Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Fulham and Tottenham at home and conceded just one goal — a Harry Kane penalty to set up the final-day showdown.

Mixing grit and determination with star quality, a ruthless streak and a clear identity made Villa a feared force.

Brighton had achieved their own objective of qualifying for the Europa League with a week to spare but played with freedom and an unpredictable edge.

But still there was no stopping Villa from making it seven wins in a row at home in the Premier League for the first time since the 1992-93 season.

Villa challenged for the title that year, a mission supporters would love to see again.

As Martinez said, though, when addressing the supporters: “Next season we go for the Champions League — that’s our aim.”

Expect a busy summer as Villa prepare for the new challenge.

Offline Towser

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1896 on: May 29, 2023, 01:51:51 PM »
Worth a read to see out potential outcome and draw possibilities,  https://twitter.com/uefarankings/status/1663152062593392640?s=48&t=6iBV-Ol4fQUyMjvKB4z6eg

Offline Stu82

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1897 on: May 29, 2023, 02:04:09 PM »
My brain hurts.

Like a warehouse.

And it’s been five years in July since our saviours bought the club.

Offline Dogtanian

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1898 on: May 29, 2023, 02:04:30 PM »
So it’s all in the air, basically! I’m going to relax and see what is the case when it comes to our draw, as it’s way too complicated to be assessing all that.

Offline Dogtanian

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1899 on: May 29, 2023, 02:05:28 PM »
My brain hurts.

Like a warehouse.

And it’s been five years in July since our saviours bought the club.

But luckily, the world didn’t end.

Offline Stu82

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1900 on: May 29, 2023, 02:20:25 PM »
My brain hurts.

Like a warehouse.

And it’s been five years in July since our saviours bought the club.

But luckily, the world didn’t end.

True, changed immeasurably for the better.

Offline Brazilian Villain

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1901 on: May 29, 2023, 02:22:40 PM »
Worth a read to see out potential outcome and draw possibilities,  https://twitter.com/uefarankings/status/1663152062593392640?s=48&t=6iBV-Ol4fQUyMjvKB4z6eg

Do you think the author has a girlfriend?

Offline LeeB

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1902 on: May 29, 2023, 02:33:57 PM »
The bit I got is we need to be cheering on on Seville

Offline Dave

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1903 on: May 29, 2023, 02:47:33 PM »

Offline Brazilian Villain

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Re: UEFA Europa Conference League
« Reply #1904 on: May 29, 2023, 02:54:56 PM »
Worth a read to see out potential outcome and draw possibilities,  https://twitter.com/uefarankings/status/1663152062593392640?s=48&t=6iBV-Ol4fQUyMjvKB4z6eg

Do you think the author has a girlfriend?

Why?

It didn't strike me as the work of someone who gets out much.

 


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