Unai League, or Europa League as they call it: Villa crush Forest to get into finals

Unai Emery is set for his sixth UEFA Europa League final, aiming to make history by winning a remarkable fifth trophy.

He won three trophies with Sevilla and one with Villarreal. Now, after a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Thursday night (4-1 on aggregate), Aston Villa joins that list.

Emery chose an experienced starting lineup, averaging 29.3 years old, focused on overturning the 1-0 deficit from the City Ground. The hosts played with patience and aggression, eager to tie the aggregate score before halftime. Ollie Watkins made it happen.

Just minutes after a head injury, Watkins scored with a header, finishing a great cross from Emiliano Buendia. The latter made it 2-0 midway through the second half with a penalty. Then, Villa's captain John McGinn stepped up with a remarkable brace, scoring twice in three minutes to seal the win.

The visitors came in with an advantage, but struggled without their injured star Morgan Gibbs-White. Villa's fans could celebrate it ecstatically, Prince William among them, a passionate supporter of the Birmingham-based club. They'll face Freiburg in the Istanbul showdown on May 20.

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - SEMI-FINALS

Return leg

Thursday

Aston Villa - Nottingham Forest 4-0 (1-0)

/Watkins 36, Buendia 58 pen, McGinn 77, 80/

Aston Villa win 4-1 on aggregate

Freiburg - Braga (2-0)

/Kubler 19,72, Manzanbi 41 - Victor 79/

Freiburg win 4-3 on aggregate