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'Do you want to bet against us?'published at 11:40 4 March
11:40 4 March
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Aston Villa fan Lyne Welling is "optimistic" Unai Emery's side can go all the way in the Champions League.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast while travelling to Belgium, she said: "I'm quite confident. To get into the next round would be absolutely brilliant.
"Hopefully we can go all the way, who knows? Do you want to bet against us? With the additions we've made in January, I'm optimistic.
"Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford are just on a different level. Considering where we were a few years ago when Unai Emery came in, we've just excelled.
"No-one would have thought we'd be here in the Champions League, and now we've also made the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. It's been a brilliant season."
A fairytale for Villa in Bruges?published at 09:33 4 March
09:33 4 March
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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I am travelling to cover Aston Villa in the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges.
The home side will be a difficult nut to crack, having already beaten Unai Emery's men 1-0 over there this season, but there is an argument that this Villa team is now better than they were before the January transfer window.
January is a notoriously difficult time to wheel and deal successfully but allowing Jhon Duran to leave and being able to bring in Marco Asensio on loan alongside a rejuvenated Marcus Rashford looks like a stroke of genius.
Duran was a natural goalscorer but not a natural team player, and remember at one point it looked like Ollie Watkins might have been allowed to go to Arsenal. Watkins is a team player, Rashford has become one again in the short term and Asensio is a versatile class act.
With financial pressures - and though they will have to consider the costs of keeping Asensio and Rashford long term - this looks like the best of all possible scenarios for Villa, having pocketed a tidy £50m profit on Duran.
Villa have taken to Champions League 'like a duck to water'published at 09:08 4 March
09:08 4 March
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Aston Villa have "looked like they belong" in the Champions League having "sailed through" to finish eighth in the league phase, says The Athletic's chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith.
Unai Emery's men face Club Brugge at the Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
"It's hard not to be impressed," said Smith on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They have taken to it like a duck to water.
"They were helped a little bit with a relatively kind group stage lottery draw, but they sailed through effectively. They came eighth in the table and that meant they got automatic qualification, which as one of the lower seeded teams is an incredible achievement.
"They have looked like they belong and that is the most you can say for a team that hasn't been in the competition for 40 years."
Emery on defensive reinforcements, 'a key moment' and being 'mature'published at 20:02 3 March
20:02 3 March
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Club Brugge (kick-off 17:45 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery confirmed that Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are not available, and Andre Garcia and Donyell Malen cannot play as they are "not on the list".
However, Villa's defence gets a significant boost with Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara all returning to the squad.
Emery conceded Club Brugge "deserved" to beat Villa in the Champions League group stage in November because his side "didn't compete like we want to do". He is hopeful Villa will "feel strong" and "compete better" this time.
On if Villa can win the Champions League: "I'm not thinking about it. I'm focusing on each match, each moment. It is not the end - it is the process."
On why European competitions bring out his qualities as a coach: "Every experience I have had before has been very important, but the most important thing I can have now is with Aston Villa. My experiences can help a little bit but they are not really relevant. What is relevant is how we compete now and then it is to try to build a strong structure in the club, in the squad and on the field with 11 players playing how we want."
He did accept that Villa have held their own in the competition this season: "We think we can be stronger and play against every team in Europe. Tomorrow is a key moment for the season, along with the second leg. We have play in a responsible way, with maturity and being emotionally strong."
Emery says January signings Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford have "added players with experiences in Europe and in this competition" that at this level "will help us a lot".
He is happy with how they have settled at Villa Park: "The process they are doing is going well. They are getting better in how we want to use them in our structure [but] we are not going to get our objective only through individual players. We are going to get that objective collectively, building our structure to be as strong as possible, so individual players can use and explore their skills."
'This squad has got no excuses' - McGinnpublished at 19:59 3 March
19:59 3 March
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Aston Villa captain John McGinn says they have a "no-excuse mentality" under boss Unai Emery.
Having impressed last season to qualify for the Champions League in fourth place, Villa have struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League this campaign.
Hampered by injuries to key players, Villa currently sit 10th, five points off Manchester City in fourth and having played a game more.
However, in Europe, they impressed by finishing in the top eight of the new-look league phase.
"I don't know [why we are inconsistent]. You can use all the excuses like injuries, lots of games in a short space of time," McGinn said. "But, last season we adopted a no-excuse mentality. The manager didn't allow us to [have any excuses]. So not hitting the same levels as last season is on us.
"Competing in elite competition in Europe has maybe taken its toll on performances domestically in the league. We will be doing everything to put it right. We have got it in us to put a run together.
"We have proven in the past few seasons that we can get a run [together] and a bit of momentum.
"We are excited to get some players back in the squad and there is a bit more of a spark. This squad is going to get healthier towards the end of season, so we have no excuses."
European prep under way at Bodymoor Heathpublished at 15:31 3 March
15:31 3 March
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It is another big gameweek for Aston Villa as they travel to Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
And while fans might start to be feeling the nerves, the players at Bodymoor Heath training ground looked relaxed and happy on Monday.
Villa last played in the last 16 of the European Cup in October and November of 1982 when they were holders and took on Dinamo Bucharest. They went on to reach a quarter-final against Juventus.
That was 43 years ago, when the average house price in the UK was under £22,000 and a pint of beer cost just 61p.
Oh, and Culture Club were just about to top the charts for three weeks with Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?
'Villa won't relish a trip to Deepdale' - Robinsonpublished at 10:51 3 March
10:51 3 March
Image source, Rex Features
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Aston Villa "won't relish" being drawn away to Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Lilywhites reached the last eight for the first time since the year England won the World Cup, 1966, courtesy of a 3-0 derby win over Burnley at Deepdale on Saturday and they are the last EFL side left in the competition.
"No disrespect to Preston but everyone will have wanted them at home, nobody will have fancied going there.
"He's done well there, Paul Heckingbottom. What I've seen of Preston since he's gone in, he's recruited well, changed the style of football."
Robinson ended his career with Burnley but encouraged the Clarets' rivals to seize their opportunity.
He added: "They are a Preston side who are playing the best football I've seen them play in a number of years. I think they are in a really good place.
"I don't like the saying 'it's a free hit' but it absolutely is for Preston - go and enjoy it!"
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City - the fans' verdictpublished at 11:57 1 March
11:57 1 March
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We asked for your views on Aston Villa's performance against Cardiff City, as Unai Emery's side sealed their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Here are some of your comments:
Rob: A solid and professional performance. There were some hints of fantastic play - Asensio's ball control is just sublime - but, while a strong team was played, we were clearly keeping some energy back for the Brugge game. Cardiff's Ethan Horvath had a fantastic night in goal and deservedly won man of the match. Overall I'm pleased with the result and where we are in the season, especially when I think where Villa were before Emery came in. Every season is a building block - and there will be peaks and troughs.
Nick: A solid performance. I'm glad we went strong, as this competition at least provides the opportunity to go to Wembley. It would be good to give it a real go this season because many of the big clubs are out.
Richard: Glad to get the win and not concede, but we were often too slow in possession when attacking. Asensio and Rashford seem to be a good partnership. It's also great that all of the new signings have slotted seamlessly into Emery's style of play. Hopefully the players aren't too tired for Tuesday's game.
Lee: We did the job eventually. Rashford just needs a goal now, it will do his confidence the world of good. You can't fault his assists though, spot on.
Prit: I'm really happy with the win and it is great to see the Rashford-Asensio axis getting stronger each match. I thought Cardiff's goalkeeper had a great game and I couldn't believe he has only just got into the team. I'm still concerned about our defence. We need Torres and Mings back but, above all, we need a fit Kamara anchoring.
Ian: A good all-round showing. Marco Asensio showing Ollie Watkins how to score goals is a concern. It was nice to get a clean sheet. Let's hope this sparks an improvement in form and results.
When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw?published at 08:53 1 March
08:53 1 March
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The road to Wembley continues this weekend, as teams battle it out to book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
There is still lots of Premier League interest in the competition, with 11 top-flight teams all dreaming of a trip to Wembley. Aston Villa are already in the hat for the last eight after victory over Cardiff City on Friday.
The draw will take place on BBC One after Sunday's tie between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford, which kicks off at 16:30 GMT and features Danny Murphy, Micah Richards and Wayne Rooney in the studio with host Gary Lineker.
Aston Villa v Cardiff City: Did you know?published at 11:56 28 February
11:56 28 February
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In all competitions, Aston Villa are unbeaten in their past 15 home games against Cardiff City, winning the past seven in a row. Cardiff have not won at Villa Park since December 1954.
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Cardiffpublished at 08:13 28 February
08:13 28 February
The rest of the season is going to be a bit of a juggling act for Aston Villa.
They are still in the Champions League and also trying to finish high enough in the Premier League to qualify for it again next season.
So, it will be interesting to see if they target the FA Cup too. I'm sure Unai Emery would ideally like to keep his finger in every pie, but we've seen how that has stretched his squad already.
Still, this is where you want to be as a Villa fan, with your team fighting on all fronts near the end of the season - and they will be favourites for this tie even if Emery rests players.
Let's face it, Cardiff are pretty hopeless, especially on the road where they have only won one Championship game all season.
Cardiff have won away twice in the FA Cup, against Sheffield United and Stoke City, but it was basically the Blades reserves who they beat in round three.
They may rest players too - it depends whether they prioritise this tie or their relegation fight and Tuesday's league game at home to Burnley - but, even if they don't make changes, Villa will probably be too strong for them, especially at home.
The Premier League could be forced to have two separate transfer windows this summer because of disruption caused by the Club World Cup. (Guardian), external
Emery on injuries, FA Cup 'respect' and route to Europepublished at 14:59 27 February
14:59 27 February
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Friday's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Cardiff City at Villa Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery confirmed Pau Torres and Ross Barkley both remain out through injury, while Matty Cash is close and will be assessed on Thursday. Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Martinez, Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara and Donyell Malen are also all doubts for the game.
On the importance of the FA Cup and whether it possesses their best chance of obtaining European football next season: "It's a way for a trophy and it's a way for Europe. The winner will play in the Europa League next year. We have three ways - Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. We are not contenders for this trophy."
Asked why, he said "there are other teams with more options than us" and added: "To try to compete in this competition and to have a way for a trophy is very important. And then there is prestige. Every player, the club and the coaches would like one way of trying to get prestige as well."
The Villa boss insisted that, despite facing a Championship side, they have "respect for the competition" and "respect every team that is competing in this round".
On Villa's run in the competition and opportunity to reach the quarter finals: "We are being consistent in this competition this year. At home against West Ham and Tottenham, we played a great two matches and we won. Tomorrow is another opportunity to keep being consistent. Our demands are in different ways, individually and collectively, to get confidence, to get comfortable and to try to transmit to our supporters our wishes in this competition.
On their busy schedule: "We're focusing on every competition, focusing on each match and how the players are recovering after playing a lot of minutes. We're looking at how we can adapt the new players in our structure. This is the task we have now."
Image source, Getty Images
