Emery’s Aston Villa beat Ajax at Villa Park and is already in the quarterfinals of the Conference. A forceful 4-0 that sank those from Amsterdam after the 0-0 draw in the first leg. There was no color since Watkins broke the tie with the first goal of the game.
The first leg had given us a glimpse that it could be a close match. Ajax and Aston Villa clung to the Conference League as the shortest way to touch metal… and they demonstrated it on the pitch. The 0-0 score in the first leg in Amsterdam left everything open for a second leg that was very tight… until 1-0.
And Emery’s Villa struck first. And hit better. Watkins did it first. Half injured. The English striker shines this season and leads the ‘Villains’ attack. And what he forms. For him there are 22 points and 10 assists this 2023-24.
In fact, Emery took him off the field shortly after. He didn’t want to force it. And Leon Bailey resolved it in the second half with a great goal. Ajax was knocked out. He was also left with one less, due to a double yellow for Mannsverk.
The sentence, if it was in doubt, came through Jhon Durn. The Colombian striker scored an impressive goal from outside the area with a very violent shot that hit the crossbar.
Round out the Diaby victory, which was one of Villa’s best on a night to remember. 4-0… and Emery’s team are already in the quarterfinals of the Conference League.