Europa/Conference League: Villa blast past Forest into Europa final; Palace reach first major European final
Aston Villa thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-0 to reach the Europa League final, while Oliver Glasner’s Eagles beat Shakhtar 2-1 and 5-2 on aggregate to reach their first-ever Conference League final.
Unai Emery’s side advanced to the Europa League final in Thursday’s return leg at Villa Park, beating Forest 4-0 and overturning a one-goal aggregate deficit.
The home side took the lead through Ollie Watkins after brilliant work from Emiliano Buendia allowed the striker to convert with a perfect finish.
After the break, Villa were awarded a penalty after a shirt pull by Milenkovic on Pau Torres, allowing Buendia to convert easily from 12 yards to give his side the advantage.
In the 77th minute, Villa captain John McGinn stepped up, delivering a wonderful first-time strike with Ollie Watkins setting up the skipper to double the advantage for his side.
Aston Villa made it four-nil with another goal late in the final ten minutes from John McGinn to seal their ticket to Istanbul, with Morgan Rogers providing the assist.
The final whistle blew as Villa knocked out Forest 4-0 to reach their first European final since 1982, while Unai Emery reached his sixth Europa League final with a different club.
Villa now face Freiburg in the final in Istanbul at the Besiktas Stadium in Turkey after the German side secured a decisive 4-3 aggregate comeback victory over Braga.
In Thursday night’s Conference League action, Crystal Palace made history, advancing to their first-ever European final after a thrilling run in the competition.
The Eagles took the lead in the opening 25 minutes with an own goal from Pedro Henrique, before the visitors responded through Eguinaldo, with Henrique providing the assist.
Glasner’s side increased the intensity and regained the lead through Ismaila Sarr, thanks to a superb assist from Tyrick Mitchell.
The result sealed Crystal Palace’s victory and a place in the Conference League final, where they will face Rayo Vallecano after the Spanish side secured a narrow win over Strasbourg.
Both semi-final victories complete an English trio in European finals this season, as Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League final, Villa face Freiburg in the Europa League final, and Palace take on Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final.
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