Analysis - Watershed moment for Aston Villa
It is a watershed moment for the club after ending a three-decade long wait for a trophy. Unai Emery has overseen a momentous change for the club who, 10 years ago, were relegated from the Premier League for the first time. Villa will now be able to show signings the evidence that, if they join, they can win trophies.
[Getty Images] Where now for Aston Villa? It is a watershed moment for the club after ending a three-decade long wait for a trophy. Unai Emery has overseen a momentous change for the club who, 10 years ago, were relegated from the Premier League for the first time.
But, with a European title and a second Champions League qualification in three seasons, this is a different club. Villa will now be able to show signings the evidence that, if they join, they can win trophies. They are a regular top-five challenger and have now got over the line with silverware.
That is something Emery promised he was at Villa to do, and the challenge the former Arsenal and Paris St Germain boss has is to maintain it. Emery will not just want to do that, though, he will look to improve on it, and Villa must match his ambitions as well. The 54-year-old has such control at the club, something which he will not get elsewhere, and that approach has proven perfect for Villa and Emery.
They can still achieve success together and it could be just the start. Read more about Villa's first European trophy in 44 years here