Aston Villa advanced to the Europa Conference League knockout stages with a 2-1 victory over AZ Alkmaar at Villa Park on Thursday.
After Vangelis Pavlidis put the Dutch ahead, Unai Emery’s side appeared to be in for a difficult night. However, goals from Diego Carlos and Ollie Watkins put Villa on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages in their first season back in Europe. To advance, Villa only needs a point from one of their final two group games against Legia Warsaw or Zrinjski.
The New York Times
After sealing another European win for Aston Villa on the day he was named to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, Ollie Watkins demonstrated that he can be a more than capable deputy to Harry Kane.
Watkins’ development under Unai Emery has been remarkable, and his header past Mathew Ryan with nine minutes to play to put Villa ahead was further validation for both manager and player’s efforts.
He had been frustrated for most of the game by a tenacious AZ Alkmaar defence, but he stayed in position lurking in the box, and when Douglas Luiz drifted in a lovely ball, he was there to finish.
The BBC Sport website
Aston Villa nearly qualified for the Europa Conference League knockout stages after beating AZ Alkmaar at Villa Park thanks to a late goal from Ollie Watkins. In the 81st minute, Watkins raced on to Douglas Luiz’s chipped pass to put Villa ahead. Vangelis Pavlidis opened the scoring for AZ Alkmaar early in the second half, latching on to a ball over the top and dinking a finish past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez. Diego Carlos equalised nine minutes later for Villa, rising highest to meet Leon Bailey’s corner and nod in his first goal for the club.
As a result, Villa only need one more point from their final two Conference League games to advance to the Conference League knockout stages.
The Daily Mail
Unai Emery celebrated a century of victories in European football after Aston Villa defeated AZ Alkmaar to advance to the knockout stages. The result left Villa needing a point from their final two Europa Conference League games to qualify from their group, but it also highlighted their manager’s exceptional pedigree in continental competition. Vangelis Pavlidis gave AZ the lead shortly after halftime, but Diego Carlos equalised and Ollie Watkins scored nine minutes later.
‘When we win games like these, we can understand this competition and our process better,’ Emery said. We’re trying to build a team that can compete in every game. The reaction was fantastic after we conceded.’
Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans also claimed the officials apologised for disallowing Clement Lenglet’s third-minute effort following a VAR check, apparently for offside against Leon Bailey.
The Solar System
Villa will face Legia Warsaw in Group E after Ollie Watkins scored his fifth goal in six European matches. However, Unai Emery’s men had to come from behind to earn their 15th win in 16 games at Villa Park.
After falling behind to Vangelis Pavlidis’ shock second-half opener, Villa fought back to equalise through Diego Carlos, who scored his first goal in Europe for the club.
And, as Alkmaar fought valiantly for a point, Watkins slayed them with his fifth goal in his last six games at Villa Park, heading home Douglas Luiz’s cross.
Legia Warsaw had earlier increased the pressure by defeating Zrinjski Mostar to take a three-point lead at the top of Group E.
The New York Times
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa came back to defeat AZ Alkmaar thanks to Ollie Watkins. The striker celebrated his England call-up by nodding in with nine minutes left to give Villa a 2-1 win and put them in the Europa Conference League knockout stages. Diego Carlos’ controversial goal – heading in a corner that should never have been awarded – quickly cancelled out Vangelis Pavlidis’ opening goal.
Villa finished joint-top of Group E, trailing Legia Warsaw on head-to-head record, knowing that a point from their final two games would guarantee progression.
Legia’s 2-0 victory over Zrinjski Mostar earlier in the day had put the Polish club three points clear at the top of the group.
