VILLA PARK — Though not quite an underdog story Aston Villa’s direct progression to the Champions League round of 16 marks a major victory for more than just the club – and may help convince Ollie Watkins the grass is still green at Villa Park.
Results elsewhere and a hard-fought win over Celtic ensured Villa finished eighth in the league phase table, and with injuries stacking up – Matty Cash hobbled off on Wednesday night, adding to their defensive woes – it gives Unai Emery’s side a much-needed month away from European football.
That is some respite, especially as the build-up to this match was disrupted by reports of Arsenal’s bid for 29-year-old Watkins before news then broke mid-match that Jhon Duran is set for a medical on Thursday ahead of a potential move to Al Nassr.
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Read MoreEmery therefore found himself fielding several transfer questions afterwards, admitting Duran’s departure would be “good” for Villa financially before insisting he wants Watkins to stay.
“The club is working and we have to be intelligent and competitive,” Emery said. “Of course when we are developing players and increasing our targets, playing in the Champions League, we are in the eyes for other strong teams – or leagues like [Saudi] Arabia.
“It’s something I can feel proud of, because they are improving. We have players [wanted by] other clubs, but of course our objective here is to keep our structure, because on the sport side we want to be at the level we are.
“Sometimes you have to do that selling players, but also developing them here and improving. I don’t know if Duran is leaving or not, but if he is leaving, it is good news for us – because it means good money.”
On the possibility of Watkins departing, he added: “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad. Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”
Unai Emery fielded several questions about Watkins and Duran after the match (Photo: Getty)Pressed again on Duran, Emery then said: “With Jhon Duran. A fantastic young player, I was always trying to give him my advice for everything. If he leaves it’s because he prefers to do another way in his career.
“If he is leaving it’s because he wants [to]. I told you last week I wanted him here. I want him here, but what does he want?”
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Read MoreDistracting? Very, and it proved more than just a sideshow on a night Villa would rather was all about their impressive qualification.
On the pitch, Villa were guilty of taking their foot off the gas – Adam Idah’s two goals in two minutes cancelled out Morgan Rogers’ quick-fire double inside the first five – before the spotlight fell on Watkins, who scored his first Champions League goal to restore Villa’s lead before skying a shambolic penalty.
That comical miss ultimately did not matter, with Rogers going on to seal his hat-trick and Villa their place straight into the last 16 – which was only confirmed minutes after full-time once Atalanta’s draw at Barcelona finished, to huge roars inside this ground.
It means Villa next play in this competition for a quarter-final place in March, making for a feat worth celebrating.
Among the biggest spenders this past decade – Villa sit 12th among European clubs for net spend from 2015-2024 (£437m) – this achievement does not enter fairytale territory, but it has nevertheless got their fans dreaming big and hoping October’s win over Bayern Munich is not the main tale they’ll recount in years to come.
Villa’s owners, who hiked ticket prices for these tell-your-grandkids nights, will feel justified in both their outlay and demands, and bank roughly £9.2m for reaching the last 16.
Morgan Rogers scored a hat-trick for Aston Villa against Celtic (Photo: Getty)Uefa too will be licking their lips, for not only have a handful of clubs like Villa punched above their weight, but some of the big boys have wobbled as well.
A play-off round where Manchester City could face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich while Villa sit back and wait in the wings? Uefa like this. Insert the “dollar signs for eyes” emoji right here.
The Premier League’s Champions League chasers Nottingham Forest, Newcastle and Bournemouth should also raise a glass to Villa’s success.
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Read MoreNot only are Villa doing themselves a favour in helping the Premier League secure a fifth spot for the Champions League next season, but their rivals have seen that the last 16 is a realistic goal given the financial might of English football.
Newcastle, for example, may have had a wild group last season, but they finished bottom. Play the Champions League in this new guise and surely they can follow Villa’s lead.
And even in defeat Celtic can revel in this new format, too. The Scottish champions have not played in the Champions League knockouts since 2013, and while the play-offs may represent a limbo round, the fact they will play at least 10 matches in this competition marks an upgrade on recent efforts.
Cheers all around, then, although Villa’s celebrations will not last long if Watkins turns around and says he wants out.
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