'Villa have a good buffer to progress'
Former Tottenham and Newcastle winger Andros Townsend believes Aston Villa have enough to progress beyond Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday.Unai Emery's side lead 3-1 on aggregate going into the second leg of their last-16 tie and, after Paris St-Germain beat Liverpool on penalties, will take on the French side in the quarter-finals if they progress.Townsend believes Villa's flurry of goals against Brugge stands them in good stead to get over the line."I think they will progress, with the two-goal buffer, but I think in the first leg, Brugge were the better side," he said."They took the game to Villa and were very expansive and didn't really turn over the ball but Aston Villa hit them in the last five or 10 minutes and it is probably too much for Brugge to overturn."It is incredible to see the squad Villa has amassed to now. Even now, Emery is resisting the temptation to start Asensio."They have such an array of talent to choose from."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Unai Emery dealt fresh blow as another star hints at Aston Villa transfer exit
Missing out on the Champions League for next season is set to cost Aston Villa heavily next season, with boss Unai Emery seeing several of his players admit their futures are uncertain Youri Tielemans has admitted that his future at Aston Villa is uncertain, despite sweeping the club's awards. Tielemans joined Villa in the summer of 2023 after scoring the winner for Leicester City in that year's FA Cup final. Having taken some time to adjust to Villa's style of play, the Belgian became a key player for Unai Emery. He featured in 53 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and notching 10 assists in the process. Tielemans started every match in Villa's run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The campaign ended in a tide of disappointment though, with Villa qualifying for the Europa League, rather than the premier continental competition. That has led to fresh concerns over Villa's compliance with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules. That means that sales could well be needed this summer to ensure Emery's men avoid receiving a points deduction. Star keeper Emi Martinez already appears to be on his way out. And Tielemans has admitted his future is also far from certain, despite having two more years to run on his contract at Villa Park. 'There's nothing definitive or ruled out about whether I'll stay or leave. But I feel good at Aston Villa; I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the manager,' he said while on international duty with Belgium. 'Of course, I was able to score five goals and provide 10 assists this season. But I was also influential in my team's play. I've been consistent and I think I've improved throughout the season." 'We're used to playing a lot of matches, recovering between games. So, I didn't feel tired in Skopje. It must be said that I spent 60 minutes on the bench [laughs]. But now I'm ready to play and represent the country this Monday." Tielemans was crowned both Supporters' and Players' Player of the Season at Villa's awards night following his impressive season. He admitted to being left 'frustrated' at the end of the season after missing out on the top five. He said: "Frustrating to end the season this way. Thank you for your support throughout the whole campaign, Home and Away you've been amazing." If Tielemans did depart, it would be another blow for Emery amid Martinez's expected exit. After the season concluded, the Villa boss admitted that major changes could be coming in the Second City this summer. "We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field. Of course, then we will see about everything, how we are going to try to get better for the next season," he said after the final day defeat to Manchester United. 'Frustrated today, but we are in the Europa League, we are in Europe. To be in Europe is important and being in three years in a row I think is something we are showing our consistency.'
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Paris cheers its 'sublime' champions PSG a day after deadly clashes
Paris St Germain held a victory celebration at their packed Parc des Princes stadium on Sunday (June 1) 24 hours after crushing Inter Milan 5-0 to win their first Champions League title and in the process, become the first French club to clinch the treble.
Daily Mail
4 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is left in limbo as Everton offer new deal to two stars but talks with striker break down as his contract expires
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks increasingly likely to leave the club after failing to agree on a new contract. The 28-year old is a free agent and is interested in a move to Italy though will consider all options. Everton revealed on Monday that they had offered new contracts to Seamus Coleman and Idrissa Gueye and were continuing 'to liaise with representatives' of both Cavert-Lewin and Michael Keane. But talks with the striker appear to have broken down. Speaking on the High Performance Podcast, Calvert-Lewin — who has been with Everton since 2016 — revealed his desire to play in a 'winning environment' to help his Champions League and England ambitions. 'I have to be careful with what I say because I am still contracted to Everton, I have a long history with Everton and a big respect for the club,' he said. 'The main thing for me is I want to win, I want to be in a winning environment. After the last three or four seasons it has been about survival. 'When I started my career I wanted to play in the Premier League, play for England a go to major tournaments with England and play in the Champions League. I have played in a major tournament for England, I have played in the Premier League, but I haven't played in the Champions League. There are still things I would like to achieve before my time is done. 'To have the opportunity to decide potentially where that place will be. If it gives me the best opportunity and environment to win and score goals, then that would be the return of me to the England team and playing in the Champions League. 'That has been my driver to play at the highest level possible. My representation of that is the Champions League, World Cups, Euros and getting into that bracket of elite players.' Calvert-Lewis has earned 11 England caps, scoring four goals for the national team. Despite being a member of the squad to reach the European Championship final in 2021, Calvert-Lewin has not featured for the national team since.
