Aston Villa

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  1. Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg) - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:51 BST 15 April

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    Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

    Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

  2. Follow Tuesday's Champions League games livepublished at 18:37 BST 15 April

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    Aston Villa are involved in Champions League quarter-final action on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

    • Aston Villa v Paris St-Germain (agg 1-3)

    • Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona (agg 0-4)

    All kick-off times 20:00 BST

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

  3. 'Hopefully Villa score early on and keep their discipline'published at 15:06 BST 15 April

    Media caption,

    Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger tells The Football News Show that the first goal in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain is crucial for Unai Emery's side.

    Villa trail 3-1 in the tie after a first-leg loss in France last week.

    Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

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  4. Villa fans can have 'massive' impact - Rogerspublished at 13:36 BST 15 April

    Villa ParkImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers said the club's fans have a vital role to play in generating an atmosphere to inspire the club to the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition for the first time in over four decades.

    When asked how important the home support at Villa Park will be for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain, Rogers said: "Massive. Two-legged ties, that's the whole purpose of it.

    "You get your advantage at home, especially in the position we're in, the second leg being at home. I think that's massive for us.

    "We can create a real atmosphere, we've done it this season in the big games, not just Champions League but in the big league games as well."

    Manager Unai Emery added: "If we are connecting with our supporters, if we are transmitting positive energy, if we are playing more or less getting tactically and individually good things on the field, the supporters, they are going to help us a lot with their energy.

    "They are going to transmit to us their energy, and always for our players playing at home, with the energy they can receive from our supporters, it's something adding positively. We need to use now Villa Park like our home and like our fortress."

  5. Newcastle set to be Villa's 'most significant' league match so farpublished at 12:25 BST 15 April

    David Michael
    Fan writer

    Aston Villa fan's voice banner

    Outside of the Champions League games themselves this season, this weekend at Villa Park could be one of the most significant matches of the campaign for Unai Emery's team.

    Aston Villa versus Newcastle isn't just about Champions League qualification. It's a head-to-head between the two clubs best placed to break English football's established order.

    Both sides go into it on the back of four straight league wins. Newcastle arrive with a League Cup in the cabinet and a fresh shot of confidence. Villa, meanwhile, have reset and are still fighting on two other fronts - chasing European glory while also looking ahead to an FA Cup semi-final, even if their Champions League midweek challenge is a mountain to climb.

    The night after Villa entertain PSG, Newcastle host Crystal Palace at St James' Park. If Eddie Howe's side win that, they'll go five points clear of Villa - and if they take anything from Villa Park, they'll surely become favourites to secure a Champions League spot.

    With the top five now confirmed as qualifying for next season's Champions League, a Villa win would put them in an excellent position. Chelsea and Nottingham Forest would suddenly look vulnerable in the run-in, and Villa would have a great chance, even if both Newcastle and Manchester City finish strongly.

    Beyond the here and now, both Villa and Newcastle are financially edging closer to the velvet rope of the Premier League's traditional big six. Neither can afford to lose the momentum built by their recent Champions League campaigns and risk sitting out Europe's top competition next season.

    If they both make it, the bigger picture threat to the Premier League's status quo might start to look even more intriguing.

    Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

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  6. 'We believe we are going to win'published at 10:32 BST 15 April

    Aston Vila fans hold up scarvesImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa fan Nim Gill says there is belief that the team can overcome a two-goal deficit to beat Paris St-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Villa Park.

    Gill told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It's an astronomically massive night for the Villa. We're 3-1 down but with this team and the tactician Unai Emery and at Villa Park, we are certainly not out by a long shot.

    "We believe. PSG are a huge side - the favourites - yet the fan base is very positive and we believe we are going to win.

    "Unai will have a plan. It's intriguing to see how he sets this up because, with being 3-1 down, we are having to chase the game and it's not very often we have to do that."

    Listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 20:00 BST

  7. 'No overconfidence' in PSG side before second leg with Villapublished at 10:08 BST 15 April

    Luis Enrique pointingImage source, Getty Images

    Paris St-Germain coach Luis Enrique has warned his side against complacency, believing Aston Villa can still overcome the French club and get through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

    PSG take a 3-1 lead into Tuesday's quarter-final second leg at Villa Park, but Enrique said: "The tie isn't over, it is still open. It is going to be difficult. We are prepared to suffer if necessary to get our aim and win this match.

    "At the end of the match there will be only one team in the semi-final and the other team is out. That is the beauty of the competition.

    "Aston Villa are down at the moment but the tie remains very open and both teams know. There is no overconfidence in our side, we have got motivation to overcome the problems Aston Villa can set us and reach our aim of winning the match."

    After already knocking Liverpool out of the tournament and in control of the tie after their first-leg win, PSG go into the return leg against Villa as obvious favourites - but Enrique is not taking anything for granted.

    He added: "When people talk about favourites before the match... the road of the Champions League is full of favourites who have been knocked out.

    "We knew we were better and deserved to win in the first leg, but there is a second story. Who is going to win on Tuesday?

    "We have the advantage, but we don't speculate about certainties. If Aston Villa are better than us they can overcome us, so we need to show we deserve to be in the semi-final."

  8. 'If anyone is going to turn it around - it is going to be us'published at 15:35 BST 14 April

    Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring goal against PSGImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers says there is "massive belief" from team that they can turn their Champions League quarter-final tie around.

    Unai Emery's side need to overturn a two-goal deficit at Villa Park on Tuesday night after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg.

    It is set to be a tough task for Villa against the Ligue 1 leaders as they look to reach the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since they won the 1981-82 European Cup.

    "There's massive belief in the dressing room. I know most people wrote us off before this tie, but in the first leg we gave a good account of ourselves," said Rogers, who scored in the first leg.

    "Of course, there are things that we needed to improve on but we know [PSG] now. There is a task on our hands.

    "Under the lights at home in the quarter-finals of this competition, there's not many better places to be.

    "If anyone is going to turn it around, it is going to be us. It's down to us and we are excited for that challenge.

    "It's going to be difficult and I am not saying that we are going to do it, but we will definitely give it a shot and go out there to win."

    While boss Emery has a lot of European competition pedigree under his belt, it is has been Villa's first foray into the top-tier cup competition on the continent since 1983, but that has not overawed the players.

    "We have tremendous belief in the group, our manager and the coaching staff," Rogers added. "We are here for a reason. We have taken on any battle that has come our way this season and we have won the game that we needed to be where we are.

    "You could think we don't deserve to be here but that's not how we look at it. We fully deserve to here and we need to keep pushing."

  9. Emery on forward options, comebacks and writing 'history'published at 14:32 BST 14 April

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain (kick-off 20:00 BST).

    Villa lost the first leg 3-1 in the French capital last week.

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Emery said he needs to "have a look every player" in training and he does not "have in my mind a starting XI" for Tuesday's match. He added: "I have a plan overall of how we should be playing. We are preparing for each game with every player. They need to understand how we have to manage not only physically but also mentally."

    • On how they approach the game after conceding late in the first leg: "Our expectation is to get a good result of the second leg. Of course the fact that they won 3-1 is changing something. But a lot? No. Why? Because we have to win. We had to win with 2-1 and with 3-1 now. But now, we have to win with one more goal."

    • On the possibility of playing forwards Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford together: "The next step - if I have time - is to play them together. We did with Rashford playing on the left side but now we are choosing more with both playing as strikers. That's the next step. I want to practise, I want to test but not now, with enough time."

    • Watkins showed he is "feeling fantastic" by coming off the bench to score against Southampton on Saturday and it shows the "variety we have with our players" as they look to use their "quality to help the team" no matter how long they are on the pitch.

    • The Villa boss said their "objective is to play with one strong plan" against PSG and "if we are getting extra time, that's good and if we are getting a penalty shootout, that's fantastic as well".

    • On the chances of overturning the two-goal deficit: "I have experiences of comebacks - both positive and negative. But now, it's something different. We want to write the history of Aston Villa - last year in the Conference League, this year in the Champions League and hopefully for years to come in Europe."

    • On the role supporters can play in the match: "PSG have a lot of experience playing in away matches. They are playing in France and Europe and we have as well. But we will be connecting with our supporters and transmitting the energy. More or less, if we do tactically and individually good things on the field, the supporters are going to up our energy and help us a lot.

    • Emery added: "They are going to transmit that energy always for our players."

    Follow all of Monday's latest football news and reaction

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  10. Southampton 0-3 Aston Villa - the fans' verdictpublished at 10:52 BST 14 April

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    Ollie Watkins scoresImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Aston Villa, which Villa won 3-0.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Southampton fans

    Noel: Could have played all day and not scored. We have completely lost the ability to tackle, high press or attack at pace this season. Apart from Aaron Ramsdale and Mateus Fernandes, this whole squad need to go. Worst players I've ever seen in 60 years of support.

    Steven: It was a decent performance until the double substitution involving Will Smallbone and Tyler Dibling. After that, game over. Still think if they had not been brought on we might have got something.

    Colin: Tried hard but fell really short in the end. It's time to try some other players in defence to play alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Kyle Walker-Peters, in a 4-4-2 formation.

    Aston Villa fans

    Ian: Very solid and professional performance from the Villa once again highlighting the strength of our bench. Perhaps we should have scored more but overall job done. Some massive games coming up, but the team must be full of confidence. We should have a right go on Tuesday against PSG now, we have nothing to lose.

    Cassie: A win against a team already relegated was predictable. Let's see if we can repeat it against PSG on Tuesday. Morgan Rogers was outstanding and is really starting to be noticed by bigger clubs, I can see him moving on in the summer unless Villa get Champions League football again. Ollie Watkins took his goal well and should be the penalty taker. Let's stay focused.

    Dave: Brilliantly controlled game with any threat nullified by a well set-up defence and midfield. It took a while to break down a stubborn defence but once we broke through there was only one winner. Just imagine what our league position would be if we didn't spend the first half of the season with so many injuries!

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  11. 'This could be a month where everything changes'published at 09:08 BST 14 April

    Chris Wise
    BBC Sport Final Score

    Unai Emery Image source, Getty Images

    There is a reason Aston Villa are still active in three competitions in mid-April, and the proof was there in front of our eyes at Southampton.

    Unai Emery's team were clearly dominant throughout, but they'd not been able to pick their way through Saints' defence for 70 minutes. And in years gone by, it may well have ended in a frustrating goalless draw for Villa.

    But Emery is playing with a strong suit of cards. The introduction of Ollie Watkins and Donyell Malen from the bench made a giant difference. It wasn't just their brilliantly taken goals, but their energy and desire changed the dynamic of Villa's forward line. That's the beauty of this situation for Emery as he can now change like for like in attacking areas. That's not something that's always been available to him.

    Perhaps it's no surprise then that it was Aston Villa who set a new Premier League record at the weekend. The first team to have three different substitutes score in a single game.

    'By changing nothing, nothing changes', as the old expression goes. This could yet be a month where everything changes for Villa.

  12. Did you know?published at 19:20 BST 12 April

    Donyell Malen celebrates after scoring for Aston VillaImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa have become the first team in Premier League history to have three different substitutes score in a game for them.

  13. 'A fantastic 90 minutes'published at 18:13 BST 12 April

    Unai Emery celebrates a goal for Aston VillaImage source, Getty Images

    Unai Emery spoke to Premier League Productions after Aston Villa's victory against Southampton: "We respect them [Southampton]. The first half we didn't concede transitions. We were dominating but we didn't have many chances to score. The second half the game plan was the same and with the fast players we can add to try and push more and more and we did. It was a fantastic 90 minutes. The subs had a very good impact."

    On Villa's strength in depth: "We had some moments in this season without players that were injured and we didn't have consistent 90 minute performances because we didn't have the players. Of course we strengthen in January with four players and the consequence is it makes us more competitive.

    On whether Villa's focus will switch to PSG: "From day one to day 38 the Premier League gives us our first target. For Europe you get in via your Premier League position. We try to focus on our gameplan and to play with our skills. Of course now we focus on the match against Paris St-Germain. We will try to recover the players today. I am enjoying the way we are doing in the Champions League."

  14. Southampton 0-3 Aston Villa: Asensio's blushes spared in late rallypublished at 17:58 BST 12 April

    Matthew Howarth
    BBC Sport journalist

    Marco Asensio and his Aston Villa team-matesImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa spent the majority of the first 70 minutes of Saturday's game camped inside the Southampton half, but clear-cut opportunities were proving hard to come by until Ollie Watkins replaced Marcus Rashford midway through the second period.

    The England international was brought down by Jan Bednarek inside the penalty area just two minutes after entering the fray, giving Marco Asensio a golden opportunity to give the visitors the lead.

    Aaron Ramsdale was equal to the Paris St-Germain loanee's effort, but Watkins made amends shortly afterwards with a fantastic first-time finish from Youri Tielemans' pass, lifting him on to 15 goals this season in all competitions.

    Donyell Malen continued his fine form with a thumping strike from Morgan Rogers' pass, before John McGinn stroked home from close range after Ramsdale had denied Asensio yet again from the penalty spot.

    The former Real Madrid man becomes only the fourth player in Premier League history to miss two penalties in the same game, but manager Unai Emery and his players won't care one bit as they moved into the top five of the Premier League ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final return leg against PSG.

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  15. Sutton's predictions: Southampton v Aston Villapublished at 11:11 BST 12 April

    Sutton's predictions graphic

    With the best will in the world, Aston Villa are going to go out of the Champions League. They do have players capable of scoring the goals they need against Paris-St Germain in the second leg of their quarter-final, but it will be very hard for them to turn that tie around.

    If Villa open up, you just feel that might suit PSG, who are my tip to win the competition by the way.

    With that game coming up on Tuesday it is just as well for Villa that things will be a heck of a lot easier against Southampton.

    Simon Rusk is in charge of Saints now Ivan Juric has left, and they are not going to just lie down at home, but Villa could make a few changes and still get over the line.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-2

    Read the full predictions and have your say

  16. Follow Saturday's Premier League games livepublished at 11:08 BST 12 April

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    Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

    • Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:30)

    • Brighton v Leicester City

    • Nottingham Forest v Everton

    • Southampton v Aston Villa

    • Arsenal v Brentford (17:30)

    Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

    Follow all of the action and reaction here

  17. Semi-automated offsides a 'step in right direction' but take 'with a pinch of salt'published at 11:07 BST 12 April

    Nedum Onuoha, BBC Sport columnist
    Referee Craig Pawson checks the VAR monitorImage source, Getty Images

    There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

    You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

    With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

    It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

    One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

    So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

    I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

    But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

    I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

    It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

    Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

    I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

    But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.

  18. Emery on team news, season objectives and Southamptonpublished at 14:24 BST 11 April

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport journalist

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Emery said that he is unsure of the players that will be available for selection against Southampton as the team is training later in the afternoon on Friday. However, winger Leon Bailey is "progressively getting better" and could be available very soon.

    • On the objectives for the remainder of the season: "We are enjoying playing in the Champions League and the [FA Cup] semi-final in two weeks but the Premier League is the most important. Our objectives during the season is the same as the beginning. Seven matches to play and we have to focus on the Premier League."

    • Emery also said that if the side is not "ready" against relegated Southampton then they will lose and it "is the most important match" they are playing.

    • Emery also said that he was chosen as Villa manager for a reason and that is because he "was successful". And, with the help and ambition of the owners, they have brought a cultural change within the club.

    Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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