Aston Villa manager Unai Emery may not believe his team are Premier League title contenders - but he is "dreaming" of Europa League glory after reaching the last 16. Villa defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 in Turkey to ensure a top-eight league-phase finish with a game to spare. Should Villa finish outside the Premier League's top four - or top five if England is awarded an extra qualifying berth - their only hope of Champions League football next season will be through winning the Europa League. "I am dreaming to be here getting trophies and the Europa is one objective we have this year." Despite being the seventh-most successful club in English football by trophies won, Villa's last piece of major silverware was the League Cup in 1996.

Source: BBC January 23, 2026 12:06 UTC