Follow Thursday's European games livepublished at 17:11 BST
17:11 BST
There's a busy night of action across Europe in store, with 18 games in both the Europa League and Conference League, three involving Premier League sides.
'Dreams of 1982' as Villa return to Rotterdampublished at 12:45 BST
12:45 BST
Aston Villa return to Rotterdam this evening with the memories of that special European Cup-winning night in 1982 firmly alive.
Villa face Feyenoord, not Bayern Munich, but the game takes place in the same stadium as that famous match.
We asked you to get in touch if you are travelling to the game or how you plan to soak it up if you are watching from home.
Here are some of your comments:
Tom: It's the match I've been dreaming of. I'm a Villa fan from Birmingham who's been living in Rotterdam for 13 years. We managed to get two tickets from a Feyenoord season ticket holder friend. Very lucky. My dad is currently on his way over for the match. Last time he was in this stadium? 1982.
Tim: I was there in 1982 - fantastic time. I could not get tickets this time around despite being a season ticket holder but would have loved to go back.
Eddie: For the pilgrimage to Rotterdam, I'm wearing my late father's Villa tie, which he wore to all the games at Villa Park. My seat number on the Eurostar was 82 - a talisman for tonight!
BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor is on the ground and has also been speaking to travelling fans.
Image caption,
Shaun and his son on way to Rotterdam
Shaun: We had been so long out of Europe so you have to enjoy it while you can. Hopefully, we are here for the foreseeable in whatever competition. You always hear the older generation share their experience of European games, so to be back here in Rotterdam was always a dream. I'm here with my son, so we are getting to enjoy it together. He keeps saying that we are going to visit the scene of the club's best moment in history and that is why it was so important to get here.
Send us your pictures and thoughts from Rotterdampublished at 08:07 BST
08:07 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa have touched down in the Netherlands ahead of their Europa League match against Feyenoord, after kicking off their campaign with an edgy 1-0 victory over Serie A side Bologna last week.
Unai Emery's men are seeking their third consecutive win in all competitions, but they will have to make their mark on the current Eredivisie leaders.
But, as BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor noticed yesterday, this stadium is also "hallowed ground" for Villa fans, because of that special European Cup-winning night in 1982.
If you are one of the lucky 2,400 travelling fans, get in touch. What is it like to be in the place of Villa's greatest memory?
Send us your pictures and stories from your trip.
And if you're following the action from home, we also want to hear from you. How are you taking it in?
Emery on Sancho sickness, 'special' nights and 'prestigious' Feyenoordpublished at 19:20 BST 1 October
19:20 BST 1 October
Millie Sian BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Feyenoord at Stadion Feijenoord (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jadon Sancho is still unavailable due to sickness after missing out on the matchday squad last weekend. He did train on Wednesday but he will not be in the squad.
Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Andres Garcia, Ross Barkley and Tyrone Mings are all still out, but some youth players have travelled with the side.
Emery is confident he has "enough players to get a collective performance and give them the confidence to compete against Feyenoord".
The club's return to Feyenoord Stadium, the ground where they won the 1982 European Cup, will be "very special" because "a lot of the supporters were there" on that day.
He added: "It will be just like last year when we played against Bayern Munich, the team they beat in that final, which was of course very special as well."
When asked whether his Dutch players - Lamare Bogarde, Ian Maatsen, Donyell Malen and Marco Bizot - have told him how difficult it is to win in Rotterdam, he replied: "I know it already. It is always difficult to play away from home and Feyenoord played fantastically in the Champions League last year. Every team that played here struggled."
He already knows "what the environment is like" after managing Sevilla there and losing 2-0 in 2015-16. He added: "Their fans support them and push them. It's like having one more player for them, so we will have to try to dominate our area to try to stop them."
On taking on Feyenoord, he said: "It's important that we are consistent and focused for the full 90 minutes because it is our first away game in the Europa League and we're against a prestigious team. They are going to be so motivated, so tomorrow will be a huge test for us collectively and individually."
There is a lot of "respect" for Feyenoord as fellow former European Cup winners in 1970 and two-time Europa League champions. He added: "They are always playing in European matches, but it will also be a test for them to see how they play against a team like us."
Emery believes this fixture will be "one of the most important matches" of Aston Villa's Europa League campaign.
'The place to find inspiration' - Villa set for Feyenoord Stadium returnpublished at 12:47 BST 1 October
12:47 BST 1 October
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
We have been here before.
Not literally all of us, of course; two generations have passed since our last trip to Feyenoord Stadium - but it happened here and every Aston Villa supporter of any age, even if only in some spiritual sense, knows this place.
Not many of the pre-eminent clubs of our time have an undisputed single peak. Which of Real Madrid's sides was the greatest? When was Liverpool's finest hour?
Aston Villa's list of honours is long and proud, even if much of it is sepia-coloured. But there is one night that towers above all others. Every fan - from the thousands who were there to the many more not even born - feels the connection.
Thanks to the famous banner inside Villa Park, most know it word for word: "Shaw, Williams, prepared to venture down the left..."
There have been periods over the past 43 years when Villa have been lost in the long shadow of 1982. It has seemed unlikely, perhaps even inconceivable, that the club could come close to repeating such a feat.
Have those the top of the club since then, including the owners, managers and players, always understood what that night in Rotterdam meant to supporters?
There are no doubts anymore. Nobody questions the ambition of Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris in restoring Villa to the top bracket of clubs (financial rules notwithstanding).
Most of all, Unai Emery has always felt like a good fit, in part because of his passion for European football and its heritage.
For a few moments in April, after Morgan Rogers' goal in Paris and during the raging second leg at Villa Park, you could imagine history repeating itself. In the fumbling early weeks of this season, that felt like a hallucination.
But Sunday's win over Fulham has hopefully cleared minds. The scrambled early Premier League table, with other expected contenders off the pace, confirms there is time to make up lost ground.
However, the most direct route back to the Champions League runs through Rotterdam and ultimately, in eight months time, Istanbul.
Villa started the Europa League as favourites, and a more confident showing here than against Bologna last week would confirm that.
This is - his CV confirms - Emery's tournament. This is - their home aside - Villa's most hallowed ground.
So if they need inspiration to start moving forward again, this ought to be the place to find it.
Listen to full commentary of Feyenoord v Aston Villa at 20:00 on Thursday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM/DAB and Freeview 714]
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Aston Villa lose 4-2 to Peterborough United in EFL Trophypublished at 07:26 BST 1 October
07:26 BST 1 October
Image source, Getty Images
Kyrell Lisbie scored a second-half hat-trick as the current Vertu Trophy holders Peterborough United roared back from two goals down to beat Aston Villa Under-21s 4-2.
Posh, winners at Wembley in the last two seasons, were facing the prospect of an early exit after losing their opening group game against Leyton Orient when Mohamed Kone and Alfie Lynskey put Villa in control.
But Lisbie netted twice and had another disallowed for offside before rounding off the scoring with a header after Jimmy-Jay Morgan had grabbed the third - James Donnelly providing three of the assists.
The result drops Villa to the bottom of Southern Group F after two games played.
'A reassuring sign there is still plenty of life left in Emery's project'published at 08:09 BST 30 September
08:09 BST 30 September
Hannah Gowen Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Fulham's goal inside four minutes on Sunday felt like Groundhog Day.
Last season, Aston Villa conceded from their opposition's first shot on target more than 20 times, and there was palpable frustration as old habits returned. Given recent form, it felt unlikely that Villa would pull off a comeback - a side effect of an uninspired start to the season.
The Villa of the past two seasons oozed confidence, and a swagger that only Unai Emery could have generated with a group of mostly inherited players. Yet, five games into the Premier League campaign, Villa had looked devoid of any of that same charm and conviction that is a defining feature of Emery's tenure.
After despairing over laziness among the squad just a week earlier, Emery's pre-match notes for Fulham urged fans to keep the faith and remember the progress since his arrival three years ago. It is true - this group has a huge amount of credit in the bank, and I felt it was inevitable things would click into place sooner rather than later.
Emery's wisdom, as always, rang true when Villa came out firing in the second half on Sunday, tallying three goals and playing more of the open, expressive football that is typical of Villa's DNA when playing at their best.
From the doom and gloom of an early cup exit, goal droughts and dwindling league position, Villa emerged from the ashes with a performance that resembled more of the team we recognise. Not perfect, but a reassuring sign there is still plenty of life left in Emery's project.
With Burnley up next, Villa have the chance to rebuild the momentum and belief that has been so integral to this team's success. There is no doubt in my mind they are capable of a resurgence.
As Emery said, this team deserves our full support.
'I cannot see how Elliott does not make Villa a better team'published at 12:56 BST 29 September
12:56 BST 29 September
Tom Gayle Match of the Day commentator at Villa Park
Image source, Getty Images
Sunday felt like a big game for Harvey Elliott. He has had to be patient for a first Aston Villa Premier League start, and it just happened to be against Fulham, the club who he made his professional debut for as a 15-year-old.
However, the 22-year-old was substituted - some would say hooked - at half-time. His replacement, Emi Buendia, assisted and scored in a little over six minutes of action.
Speaking afterwards, Unai Emery was keen to stress the change was for tactical reasons and not performance related. He says Elliott "needs time".
I'm not alone in thinking it was quite a coup for Villa signing not only a Premier League winner, but a youngster who a few months ago was named player of the tournament as England lifted the Under-21 European Championship trophy.
Emery's meticulous attention to detail should never be underestimated. This is a coach who watched the documentary Sunderland 'Til I Die to help prepare for their recent draw at the Stadium of Light, despite the series largely focusing on the Black Cats' demise as opposed to recent success.
Elliott admits the set-up at Villa is "completely different" to any of his previous experience, and has taken "no offence" to his new head coach commenting publicly on how he needs to adapt to their playing style.
Not every signing hits the ground running in a new environment, but I cannot see how Elliott, who can play left wing, right wing, or in the number 10 position, does not make Aston Villa a better team.
We saw enough at Liverpool to suggest that perhaps Emery needs to slightly lower the requirement for perfection from Elliott in order to get the best out of player widely regarded as one of England's brightest young talents.
'He didn't want to leave' - Buendia energy proves keypublished at 11:23 BST 29 September
11:23 BST 29 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Media caption,
A subplot of Aston Villa's first win of the season was Emi Buendia's impact from the bench.
The attacking midfielder set up John McGinn, before scoring himself two minutes later, after being introduced at the restart.
It was his first Villa goal for a year - since scoring in the Carabao Cup against Wycombe last September - and first in the Premier League since March 2023.
Villa were open to letting the 28-year-old leave in the summer after he spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen.
Buendia wanted to fight for his place, having joined from Norwich in a then club record £38m deal in 2021 before seeing his Villa career interrupted by a serious knee injury two years ago, which kept him out for the entire 2023-24 season.
"He didn't want to leave, he had the possibility to leave in the transfer window but he wanted to stay here and take the commitment here. He is showing it every day and every match," said manager Unai Emery.
"We used it to get his best, energy, commitment and qualities. He scored, he helped us and he is going to be important this year."
Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:10 BST 29 September
09:10 BST 29 September
Media caption,
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Fulham, which saw Unai Emery's side claim their first league win of the season.
Here are some of your replies:
Villa fans
Mossy: Hallelujah! Finally we are up and running. I'm so happy that Buendia is finally getting his chance at Villa. A lot of people say he isn't good enough, well he is on this performance! He completely changed the game and he always tries very hard. Onwards and upwards hopefully now. A good win against an in-form team.
Dave: What a difference a goal makes! For the first 35 to 40 minutes we were overly cautious and nervous, like we have been so far this season. At 1-1, we suddenly became the more pro-active and attacking team we've come to expect under Emery. It's so great to see most of our players moving forward more, rather than the crab-like sideways movements we've been guilty of too often. We need to play that more aggressive style in our last two games before the international break, then we can truly say our season has started.
Paul: Hard work and trying something different for a change brings rewards. Led from the front by McGinn, it was a much better show all-round. It was a mistake by Fulham to try to sit back so early and they paid the price. Rogers and Watkins much improved. Hopefully the season starts here.
Ian: Well that was a little better. The three points are so vital for building confidence going forward. We're still not where we need to be, but it's a start. We need to back it up at Feyenoord then Burnley at home. I have been saying Villa fans, keep the faith!
Fulham fans
Daniel: Marco Silva made a huge error in sending on Traore. He looked like a headless chicken, was out of position and had a shocker. Andersen wasn't far behind and Kevin had a poor performance. A bad day at the office all-round.
Mal: Need a goal? Play Fulham. Need a win? Play Fulham. The definition of Fulhamish. As a Fulham supporter for 65 years, I could've predicted the result before a ball was kicked.
Iain: How can you make fair comment on a match that had such appalling refereeing and VAR decisions? A blatant penalty and a clear handball were not given. But wait, it's Fulham so the laws don't count when we play!
'Like a weight had been lifted from Watkins' shoulders'published at 08:10 BST 29 September
08:10 BST 29 September
Image source, Getty Images
After Ollie Watkins ended his goalscoring drought on Sunday, Match of the Day pundit and Lionesses' record scorer Ellen White told BBC Sport:
"Ollie Watkins has scored so many goals in the Premier League for Aston Villa over a number of seasons now but, still, to go nine games without a goal will have affected him.
"When he scored, it was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"When you are a striker and you are not scoring, of course you think about it and it does weigh heavily. You don't want to read things, and you don't want to hear things but of course your form is being discussed in the media and in the public eye.
"I felt like Watkins was still getting in the right positions, he was still having shots on target - it was just that clinical edge that was missing.
"His goal against Fulham is a beautiful finish over the keeper and into the net, and it was obvious he was not thinking about it - instead it just happened. It was not an easy chance, but it wasn't a situation where he was running in on goal and had time to decide what to do, instead it was 100% instinct.
"Sometimes, when you need a goal, you need that - to not be thinking about your finish. Having too much time can really mess with your head - it is totally different to when you are in form and scoring freely, and you do quite enjoy those types of finishes.
"You could see how much it lifted him in the rest of the game, with his movement and his touch. He didn't get the assist for Villa's third goal but he made it with his run in behind and then his cross.
"He looked so much freer in the second half, making those runs in the channels and he was getting balls into the box, connecting with his team-mates better.
"You have got to credit him for still getting in the right positions, the team for continuing to look for him, and also the manager. Emery could have dropped him for not scoring, but he has believed in him and said 'you are my number nine'.
"As a striker, to have that belief from your manager is huge."
Analysis: A crucial win but Villa still far from their bestpublished at 17:21 BST 28 September
17:21 BST 28 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa desperately needed this victory.
Not that Unai Emery's position is under threat, but the narrative around their season was one of concern following five winless games.
More is expected of a club with European ambitions, so the nature of Aston Villa's flat and listless performances had been a growing worry.
Three points against Fulham will now give Villa the springboard they craved as they travel to Feyenoord in the Europa League this week.
The visit of Burnley follows in the Premier League and quickly the horizon looks a little brighter, especially following Thursday's narrow Europa League win over Bologna.
It wasn't that Villa were at their swashbuckling best - it was far from it. They ground the result out after falling behind to Raul Jimenez's header, while there was also an element of Fulham allowing them a route back.
Ollie Watkins ending his goal drought, having gone nine games without scoring, removes another obstacle which had threatened to trip up Villa this season.
The striker, who struck 16 times in the Premier League last season, is so crucial to Villa's hopes due to their minimal goalscoring back-up.
His return to the scoresheet capped a satisfying, if not comprehensive, win.
Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham: What Emery, McGinn and Buendia saidpublished at 16:31 BST 28 September
16:31 BST 28 September
Media caption,
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to Sky Sports after his side claimed their first Premier League win of the season: "I'm happy. Overall, we kept the consistency we achieved on Thursday but we started a little bit low on energy. We conceded one goal and it was again a very difficult moment, but we reacted. We were winning duels and recovering the ball as high as possible and then we were being aggressive."
On Ollie Watkins' goal: "It is very important for the team because he wasn't scoring goals. Today we needed goals through Watkins, Buendia and McGinn. We aren't where we want to be but this result will hopefully help us get better. How the players are connecting and adapting is important."
On why he substituted off Harvey Elliott at half-time: "I changed him more tactically because Emiliano Buendia can give us energy and his adaptation is better than Elliott. He needs time and Emiliano did fantastically."
On Aston Villa finding their form: "We drew three matches away, it wasn't the worst and it wasn't the best either. I said we were improving and getting better, but we needed to improve things and today we did it.
"We play in Feyenoord on Thursday and we have the opportunity to get confidence there. It's another opportunity and challenge. Then we can keep being consistent at home."
On Jadon Sancho's absence: "He was feeling sick before the game so that's why he wasn't on the bench, but he will be important for us."
Captain John McGinn spoke to BBC Match of the Day after scoring at Villa Park: "I'm delighted but relieved at the same time. It has been a very poor start to the season and losing here 3-0 in the last home game was tough to take. We actually started well and then we reacted really well to conceding the corner.
"It's not an easy place to play when the crowd are on your back but when you get momentum, what a place it is to play. It was important to show belief and confidence in each other. What a win and what a huge show of character from us."
On Ollie Watkins' form: "He's had a lot of criticism in recent weeks, but what he will get from us as teammates and staff is love and support. What he has given us in recent seasons is nothing short of brilliant.
"He always has a spell in the season where it doesn't quite click for him but he runs a lot, he works hard and when he gets the ball you expect that he will score. Hopefully that shuts a few people up."
Goalscorer Emiliano Buendia also spoke to Sky Sports after the match: "It was nice just to feel the freedom between the lines and find spaces. It felt really good after coming on from the bench. I try to help the team as much as possible.
"It is really amazing to get my first Premier League goal in years. With the injury, I had a few low moments. I worked hard to be back here again so I'm really happy."
Did you know?
This is the latest Aston Villa have ever won their first match of a Premier League campaign and their latest overall in a league campaign since 1969-70 season, when they didn't win their first league game until their 10th match in the second tier.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
