Aston Villa Thrash Ajax will secure a position in the quarterfinals of the Europa League on Thursday night. The first half was impressive after a 1-0 win. Watkins’ score in the 25th minute of the game gave the hosts a lead before the break. However, Ollie Watkins limped off the field after sustaining a knee injury.
Aston Villa Humiliates Ajax
Unai Emery’s men performed impressively on Thursday night to book a position in the quarterfinals of the Europa League with a 4-0 win over Ajax. Ollie Watkins secured the lead at Villa Park after scoring the first goal to give the hosts an aggregate lead. However, the second half was more enticing, as Leon Bailey’s brilliant performance bore the second goal for the team. “Today was a brilliant night for the whole team and the fans. The atmosphere was brilliant,” Bailey told TNT.
Tottenham humiliated Aston Villa on Sunday after a 4-0 defeat to Spurs. Aston Villa needed an impressive night to cool off the shame that happened in Villa Park. In the 66th minute, Ajax’s hopes for a comeback were dashed when Sivert Mannsverk received a second yellow card, resulting in a red card. Juan Duran gave Aston Villa the third goal in the 75th minute, as Diaby sealed the win in the 81st minute.
Ollie Watkins’s Knee Injury
Watkins, who Southgate chose to join the England squad, gave Aston Villa and England a scare after limping off eight minutes after firing the leading goal. Aston Villa and England will have to wait to determine the extent of the striker’s injury. The striker is a crucial player in the Unai Marey squad; however, Emery is certain that the player will be available on Sunday to face West Ham. “We don’t know exactly what the issue is. Maybe on Sunday, he could be available.” Emery told TNT.
“I’m pleased with the win.” Said Emery. “We needed to do better, and the fans were very supportive.” Aston Villa will be heading to London Stadium on Sunday to face West Ham.
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Henderson, the former Liverpool player, told the TNT that they were brushed off quite easily. “Tough game. It’s hard to stand here and put it into words straight after the game. “In the end, we lost quite easily, which is disappointing,” said Jordan Henderson, who found it challenging. The fans’ boos served as a reminder of his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia.
“It felt like we had them in the first half; if only we could manage the 1-0 for long, we would have hurt them,” added Henderson. “Furthermore, to go 10 men, it is very difficult to make a comeback with a good side,” said the captain.