Aston Villa captain John McGinn expressed his desire for more memorable European nights after leading his team to a historic victory over Ajax, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League.
Villa delivered a commanding performance, defeating the four-time European champions Ajax with a resounding 4-0 win at home. This significant triumph marks Villa’s progression to the quarter-finals of a major European competition for the first time since 1998.
McGinn emphasized the team’s ambition to achieve further success, stating that they aim to build on this achievement and continue their journey in Europe. Despite already providing fans with an unforgettable night, McGinn emphasized the team’s determination to go even further in the competition.
The match saw Ollie Watkins opening the scoring with a powerful header, followed by goals from Leon Bailey, Jhon Duran, and Moussa Diaby, sealing Villa’s victory. However, Watkins suffered an injury during the game, casting doubt on his availability for upcoming fixtures.
Villa manager Emery provided updates on Watkins’ condition, indicating uncertainty regarding the extent of his injury. Despite the setback, Villa remains focused on their upcoming Premier League clash against West Ham and subsequent fixtures.
Reflecting on the team’s remarkable turnaround under Emery’s leadership, McGinn and Emery expressed their satisfaction with the result, highlighting the importance of the win and Villa’s progress in the competition.
In contrast, Ajax captain Jordan Henderson acknowledged Villa’s superiority in the match, expressing disappointment over his team’s performance. Despite Ajax’s efforts, they were unable to overcome Villa’s dominance, leading to a comprehensive defeat.
Ajax head coach John van’t Schip lamented the missed opportunities and expressed disappointment over the outcome, emphasizing the challenges his team faced after the red card and injuries.