The China Mail - Villa crush Forest to reach Europa League final against Freiburg

Unai Emery's side erased a 1-0 first leg deficit thanks to Ollie Watkins' opener just before half-time and Emiliano Buendia's nerveless penalty after the interval.

Fittingly, it was a late double from skipper and fan favourite John McGinn that finished off Forest to cap Villa's second leg masterclass.

They advanced 4-1 on aggregate from the all-English showdown, setting up a final clash against German club Freiburg in Istanbul on May 20.

Freiburg beat Braga 4-3 on aggregate to make their first ever European showpiece.

Leading the celebrations at Villa Park was noted fan Prince William, who sat among the jubilant claret and blue hordes in the stands.

Given the royal seal of approval by William, Villa will head to Turkey in search of their first major trophy since the 1996 League Cup.

They are bidding to win the club's first major continental prize since Peter Withe clinched their iconic 1982 European Cup final triumph against Bayern Munich.

In their first final since losing to Manchester City in the 2020 League Cup, Villa will be firm favourites against unheralded Freiburg, who are seventh in the Bundesliga.

It is Emery's sixth Europa League final after winning the competition three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, as well as finishing as a runner-up with Arsenal.

Emery has proved an inspired appointment, the Spaniard having revitalised Villa since taking over when they were languishing three points above the relegation zone in 2022.

Fifth-placed Villa remain on course to qualify for next season's Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League, but they now have the option of making it via winning the Europa League as well.

Beaten in the semi-finals by Olympiakos in the 2023/2024 UEFA Conference League and then Crystal Palace in the FA Cup last season, Villa are one win away from shedding their tag as 'nearly men' who fall short on the big occasion.

- Bloodied but unbowed -

It was a painful end to Forest's bid to reach a European final for the first time since 1980, leaving them still waiting to end their 36-year trophy drought.

Forest had arrived unbeaten in their last 10 games, while Villa had lost their previous three and were booed off after defeat at home to lowly Tottenham on Sunday.

Crucially, Forest were largely subdued with influential playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White only fit enough for the bench after suffering a horrific facial injury last weekend.

Forest winger Omari Hutchinson curled narrowly wide from the edge of the area in the opening minutes.

But Villa quickly hit their stride and Pau Torres' header forced a desperate tip over from Forest keeper Stefan Ortega, who saved Buendia's low drive soon afterwards.

Villa's pressure was rewarded in the 36th minute as Watkins climbed off the canvas to open the scoring.

Blooded and bruised but unbowed after a clash of heads with Morato moments earlier, the bandaged Watkins ignored his throbbing skull to slot home from close range after Buendia's sublime twisting run prised open the Forest defence.

Villa's momentum was not interrupted by the half-time interval and their dominance brought a deserved second goal in the 58th minute.

Nikola Milenkovic rashly pulled Torres' shirt in the goalmouth and a VAR check awarded a penalty that Buendia calmly drilled past Ortega.

Chris Wood was denied by a key save by Martinez and McGinn put the result beyond doubt.

The Scotland midfielder took Watkins' flick and caressed a fine finish into the far corner from 12 yards in the 77th minute.

McGinn struck again three minutes later, shooting low past Ortega at the near post to send Villa Park into ecstasy.

Z.Huang--ThChM