Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and captain John McGinn have spoken of their delight at securing UEFA Champions League qualification.
Villa clinched an incredible fourth place in the Premier League on Tuesday night and, with it, a place in Europe’s elite competition in 2024/25.
Confirmation of Villa’s top-four finish coincided with the club’s End of Season Awards Dinner at Villa Park.
And, having sealed Champions League qualification for the first time in the club’s history, Emery and McGinn took to the stage to share in their joy.
“It’s a very special day today,” said boss Emery.
“It’s our dream, it was our dream when we started the season to be here.”
Emery added: “To play Champions League is, after the Premier League, the best.
“You can play in the Premier League against the best teams in the world, it’s very difficult.
“When you are playing in the Champions League you are playing against the best teams, at the same time, from other countries. And it’s amazing.
“And we are always responsible about the history here, we know the history of Aston Villa is so long and so successful.
“Even in the Champions League, before it was the European Cup, we knew the responsibility was to try to increase our level, try to be demanding and to dream.
“And now to win the Champions League like Aston Villa did in 1982, if we are there and we are in, then it’s more easy than if we are not.
“It’s another dream and the most important is to have dreams and try to work hard for it.
“Of course, I’m very, very, very happy and very proud of you (the supporters), the players and everybody.
“I want to enjoy more and, next year, now the new challenge starts for us. To build again a team, being strong and being strong to go and always increase our level.
“This is our objective and always it’s trying to enjoy with you, the supporters; you are the heart of the club.
“Up the Villa!”
The achievement represents only the third time Villa have finished in the top four of the Premier League and first since 1995/96.
And the shared success means the club have qualified for next season’s Champions League and the right to participate among Europe’s elite for the first time since 1982/83.
Skipper McGinn said: “On behalf of all the players, it’s been an amazing season.
“Obviously, Tyrone and I were at the club in the Championship, us two, Jacob (Ramsey) and Kortney (Hause) were the only ones remaining.
“There’s four of us here who were part of that Championship journey.
“We got promoted, we got into the Premier League and were seven points behind with four games to play, we managed to stay in the league.
“We kept building and thankfully we’ve achieved something we haven’t done for 40 years.
“So, on behalf of all the players and staff, we’re over the moon, we’re delighted.”
