Jacob Tanswell
@jacobtanswell
Aston Villa writer for The Athletic | #AVFC | Subscribe here:
Ollie Watkins organises Villa into a guard of honour with the City players for Bernardo. Nice gesture. What a player he’s been. #AVFC
The final match of a long, ultimately joyous season for Aston Villa. #AVFC
The Europa League champions are in town Well, they’ll try to be #AVFC
Some players were open, not necessarily pushing, to an exit last summer. Others outside the dressing room had doubts whether Emery would stay beyond the season. Now players will receive bonuses for winning the Europa League. Excerpt below, but free on @theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
FT: #AVFC 4-2 Liverpool Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League. Until Wednesday, at least, this is Emery's biggest achievement at Villa.Very few thought this was possible after a turbulent summer & no win in 5 at the start of the season. Coaching & player excellence
Let’s have one more Villa Park Tifo, just to round off the season…. #AVFC
Good morning from a sunny Turf Moor. #AVFC buoyant after Thursday night but today perhaps a good opportunity to improve things in the league - winless away from home in the previous five and have picked up seven points in the last eight games. A win would move Villa up to 4th
This sandwiches a huge Europa League second leg, but it's a credit that a league game in early May will not determine #AVFC's season & Emery can make changes if he wishes. But a win here would push Villa on the precipice of CL, higher up the table & set up Thursday’s massive game
It’s extremely hot (insert a line on how the temperature has cranked up on #AVFC’s season). But, seriously, it’s a huge one. Emery expects this to be a long tie… a controlled, composed performance in the first leg is surely desired
#AVFC can all but assure Champions League qualification - Chelsea, Liverpool & others, all of whom had far more resource & better summers than Villa have floundered. Emery is not only wanting CL but a 3rd place finish.Don’t be mistaken - this would be an extraordinary achievement
Exclusive interview with #SaintsFC head coach, Tonda Eckert. His story is remarkable: Germany analyst at 19 and now 33, his rise to becoming a head coach seems extraordinarily quick. But his background and experience, already, is very well-rounded. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
Another European night at Villa Park. “Dream On” by Aerosmith plays as the Tifo unfurls. #AVFC have a chance to progress into the final four - and, perhaps, it won’t start to feel like a dream for much longer… First, though, Bologna.
A wonderful stadium, let’s hope for a good contest and lots of passes into the No 10s quickly (please). And yes, the Bologna supporters opposite are wearing red and blue bibs, some waving white flags to spell the club’s name. Pretty impressive #AVFC
#AVFC's attacking overperformance caught up with them - they then turned stale and attacks would fizzle out. But with McGinn and Tielemans back, finding more sustainable methods - early indications came against West Ham - can only be a positive. 🔗Piece: www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...
Youri Tielemans walks out to take his seat on the bench and a lot of Villa Park rises to their feet. Huge cheers, knowing how important he is and how much #AVFC have missed him
Supporters hold their cards aloft to celebrate Unai Emery’s 100 wins. Among the many paragraphs paying tribute to him, the last one reads “The Villans dare to dream again of what this club can be.” #AVFC
Demi Lovato & John McGinn share a mutual connection. Both reached out to Natalie Kollars, a performance specialist whose extensive background concentrates on individual training for high-end athletes. McGinn was put through his paces... Excerpt ⬇️ #AVFC 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/712...
Villa’s biggest game of the season so far. 2 wins in 37 here has come with some hugely painful experiences - among the most acute being the defeat last May. Importance of today’s result has potential to significantly impact #AVFC, from both a league and psychological position
#AVFC are back in Lille. But Emery will hope it’s not as turbulent or dramatic - it probably cannot or should not be. Villa have tried to reset since Chelsea & rediscover their strengths. A good footing before 2nd leg is a priority so, as Emery says, they can “recover confidence”.