Just before the season kicked off, some of the Lions on the website made our predictions. As you will see next week, there were some things we got very wrong! There was one thing we all said, with the question- What Competition Does Aston Villa Have The Best Chance Of Winning This Season? We all said the Europa League. We are now 90 minutes away to fulfilling that prediction. This is how we made the Final, full of highs and lows and hopefully like our league quest for Champions League place, with a happy ending!
League Stage
Aston Villa 1-0 Bologna (25/09/25)
We kicked off our Europa League campaign with no win in the Premier League in 5 matches and an early League Cup exit to Brentford. In a nervy performance, it was John McGinn who scored the winner and we were all set!
Feyenoord 0-2 Aston Villa (02/10/25)
The second game saw a return to Rotterdam, our first trip there after winning the European Cup against Bayern Munich (1-0) in 1982. In a tough match, goals from Emi Buendia and McGinn gave us three points and the confidence was growing.
Go Ahead Eagles 2-1 Aston Villa (23/10/25)
Another trip to Holland, this time to play Go Ahead Eagles. An early Evan Guessand goal looked like another win. However goals from Suray and Deiji gave them the victory. A miserable night which saw Buendia miss a 2nd half penalty, this though would be just a hiccup.
Aston Villa 2-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv (06/11/25)
A tricky night with the decision not to let away fans into Villa Park due to security reasons. We bounced back with a win with goals from Ian Maatsen and a penalty from Donyell Malen.
Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys (27/11/25)
After playing Bologna, we had another reunion with a team we played in last season Champions League. A fine double from Malen sealed another three points despite Monteiro scoring a late consolation for the Swiss side.
Basel 1-2 Aston Villa (11/12/25)
In our last Europa League game of 2025, Guessand scored in the 12th minute to give us the lead. After Daniliuc levelled, a lovely bit of play from Buendia set up Youri Tielemans to score the winner in 53rd minute.
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa (22/01/26)
After losing key Midfielders Boubacar Kamara and McGinn to injuries, the pressure was on in Turkey. However, Europe brought out the best in us and a goal from Jadon Sancho sealed the three points and a guaranteed place in the last 16 was ours.
Aston Villa 3-2 RB Salzburg (29/01/26)
Our final League game in the Europa League, and a win would secure a top two finish. Things didn’t look good, with a Victor Lindelof own goal and Yeo giving the Austrians a 2-0 lead. The fight back was on and goals from Morgan Rogers, Tyrone Mings and youngster Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba giving us the win and 2nd place.
Last 16
Lille 0-1 Aston Villa (12/03/26)
Like the trip to Turkey, confidence wasn’t high with injuries, indifferent League form and an FA Cup exit to Newcastle United. Ollie Watkins scored from a header and we were heading on the right track once again.
Aston Villa 2-0 Lille (19/03/26) 3-0 Agg
The skipper was back on the pitch and back on the scoresheet! A John McGinn goal was added to right in the end by Leon Bailey to complete what seemed like a routine win.
Quarter-Finals
Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa (09/04/26)
Another match against Bologna but the first one in Italy! Ezri Konsa gave us a half time lead before the in form Watkins gave us a two goal cushion. Rowe looked like giving Bologna hope but Watkins’ goal right at the end effectively sealed our place in last 4.
Aston Villa 4-0 Bologna (16/04/26) 7-1 Agg
The confidence was definitely flowing in the team. Goals from Watkins, Buendia and Rogers gave us a 3-0 half-time lead. Konsa found the net right at the end to complete a 7-1 aggregate win.
Semi-Finals
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa (30/04/26)
In our first ever all English European tie, the match was always going to be scrappy. Lucas Digne was judged to have handled the ball and Chris Wood converted a penalty, giving Forest the advantage ahead of the 2nd leg.
Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest (07/05/26) 4-1 Agg
The scene was set at Villa Park. Many nerves were settled when Watkins levelled things up. A penalty of our own, converted by Buendia put us in front. The tie was settled by a quick fire double by McGinn and we’re off to Istanbul!
With Champions League Football secured, we can go into the match with confidence. Now we need another Emery masterclass to bring the trophy back to Birmingham and for this side to go along the side that won the European Cup in Rotterdam in 1982.
Would you bet against us?
Up The Villa!