Aston Villa will play Champions League football next season after Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday ended their challenge for fourth place in the Premier League.
Villa missed out on this season’s Europa Conference League final after a 6-2 aggregate loss to Olympiacos in their semi-final, but will have the chance to mix it at Europe’s top table next term.
THIS MOMENT. pic.twitter.com/y5aLjEsq6t
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 14, 2024
Unai Emery and his squad had gathered for Villa’s end-of-season awards as the Spurs-City game was going on and as the final whistle blew, goalkeeper Emi Martinez led the champagne celebrations.
Famous fan the Prince of Wales celebrated Villa’s achievement.
Posting on the Kensington Royal X account he shares with his wife Katherine, William wrote: “We are Champions League! A historic season and an amazing achievement. Thanks to Unai, the whole squad and everyone at @AVFCOfficial. Can’t wait for next season. #UTV! W”
We are Champions League! A historic season and an amazing achievement. Thanks to Unai, the whole squad and everyone at @AVFCOfficial. Can't wait for next season. #UTV! W https://t.co/u2px5yLqkR
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 14, 2024
It will be Villa’s first time in the Champions League since the competition was rebranded in 1992, having last appeared in the European Cup in the 1982-83 season.
They were crowned champions of Europe the previous season after Peter Withe scored the only goal in the final against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam, one of seven English clubs to win the competition.
