Aston Villa progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League in March following an emphatic victory over Dutch giants Ajax.
The month started with a dramatic 3-2 triumph against Luton Town following an action-packed Premier League encounter at Kenilworth Road.
Lucas Digne picked the perfect moment to register his first league goal of the season, nodding home a cross from fellow substitute Moussa Diaby in the 89th minute.
Ollie Watkins bagged a first-half brace to take his tally for the season to 21 goals, only for the Hatters to hit back after the break.
But Digne’s late header sealed a third successive win for Unai Emery’s side and third consecutive triumph on the road, in what was Villa’s first visit to Luton in the Premier League era.
The Villans subsequently played out a goalless draw against Ajax in the first leg of their round of 16 tie as both sides finished with 10 men.
The visitors saw Ezri Konsa sent off in the 83rd minute for a second bookable offence, before Tristan Gooijer was then shown a second yellow for Ajax shortly afterwards, with clear-cut opportunities limited at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Ten-man Villa then endured an afternoon to forget as their three-game winning run in the Premier League came to an end courtesy of a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park.
But Emery’s side showed their class as they bounced back in style four days later to record a convincing 4-0 victory over their own against Ajax.
The hosts progressed to the last eight of the Europa Conference League on a memorable night at Villa Park.
Watkins headed home Douglas Luiz’s corner in the 25th minute, his 22nd goal of the season, to break the deadlock in the second leg and the tie.
Leon Bailey then converted his 12th goal of the campaign, via another Luiz assist, on the hour mark as Villa took firm control of the tie.
Ajax saw Sivert Mannsverk dismissed for a second bookable offence, with substitute Jhon Durán drilling home a powerful third off the underside off the crossbar and Diaby adding a well-taken finish late on.
It was the first time Villa Park had hosted European knockout football since 2008/09.
Nicolò Zaniolo came off the bench to rescue a 1-1 draw against West Ham United at London Stadium.
The Italian stabbed home an equaliser with 11 minutes left, running on to the end of Diaby’s pull back.
A draw in the capital left Villa fourth in the table heading into the international break.
And Emery’s side duly built upon that as they took local bragging rights with a comfortable 2-0 Premier League victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A goal in each half secured a first win against our midlands rivals since December 2020, with a packed stadium revelling in a strong performance from the hosts.
Diaby lashed home the opening goal with 36 minutes on the clock, while Konsa capped a controlled second-half performance just after the hour mark – wrapping up March in style.
