Aston Villa secured their passage to the Europa League’s last 16 with a game in hand, following a commendable 1-0 victory against Fenerbahce. The match took place amid an electrifying atmosphere at Istanbul’s Chobani Stadium, where Unai Emery’s team dominated, marking their sixth win out of seven in this season’s Europa League campaign.

Despite Emery’s earlier reservations about his team’s capacity to compete on multiple fronts—expressed after a disappointing home loss to Everton in the Premier League—the performance in Istanbul told a different story. The game was more one-sided than the score would indicate, showcasing Villa’s prowess on the European stage.

As Villa approaches the three-month mark since Jadon Sancho’s infamous substitution mishap against Manchester City, critics continue to doubt the winger’s potential to thrive at Villa Park. However, Emery remains steadfast in his support of Sancho, both in public statements and private conversations, insisting that he can excel for both club and country, despite Sancho’s absence from the England squad since October 2021.

Jadon Sancho’s first goal in an Aston Villa shirt booked their spot in the Europa League last-16

SANCHO REPAYS FAITH

“He has huge potential,” Emery declared earlier this month, affirming his faith in Sancho’s abilities. This belief in his player is an encouraging sign for Villa fans, who hope to see Sancho fulfill his promise under Emery’s guidance.

Emery has never believed that. Publicly and privately he has backed him to come good, not just for Villa but for England, too, despite not playing for his country since October 2021.

‘He has huge potential,’ Emery said at the start of the month.

‘His commitment is like I need, and how he is focusing on his progression as well is like I want. After it, keep going, keep going, keep going.’

He added: ‘Now we need his qualities, getting numbers and being brilliant in his actions as a player. There is still time to get it, so keep going and be focused like he is doing.’

Here Sancho was electric and should have departed with a hat-trick. He was engaged defensively, a constant threat going forward and looks like a player who feels like an important piece of this Emery puzzle, just as another maligned Man United star in Marcus Rashford did last season.

Emery was steadfast that it was a case of when and not if Sancho would come good in a Villa shirt. Beyond his first Villa goal, this was a display that underlined just why he was so confident.

‘He just keeps on telling me to be positive every time I play,’ Sancho said afterwards. 

‘It’s nice to have a manager that backs you and obviously believes in you. Again, every opportunity I get I’m going to try and do 100 per cent and hopefully I can deliver more goals.’

Sancho should have scored more goals on the night but this was an encouraging performance

… BUT VILLA STILL NEED NEW ATTACKER

Ollie Watkins has been a fine player for Villa but to fight on multiple fronts – domestically and in Europe – a new striker is of paramount importance this month.

Villa officials flew to Istanbul on Monday to speak to Besiktas about Tammy Abraham, while Jean-Philippe Mateta, who wants out of Crystal Palace, is another of interest.

This was so one-sided, particularly in the first half when they had six high-quality attempts and should have been up by two or three goals, but Villa could not put Fenerbahce away and that almost cost them in the second half, not least when Kerem Akturkoglu had a goal ruled out by VAR.

Watkins struggled on the night and will be run into the ground if they are not careful. While it didn’t backfire it Turkey, reliance on him will cost Villa eventually. 

As good as this team display was it rubber-stamped the need to finish the transfer window with a shiny new striker.

KEEPING ‘SON’ TIELEMANS FIT IS ESSENTIAL

Injuries to John McGinn and Boubakar Kamara saw Villa arrive in Turkey with one mind on leaving without any further ailments and knocks, regardless of the result.

Amadou Onana’s appearance off the bench is a boost, and there is also talk of Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Douglas Luiz arriving on loan.

Youri Tielemans (right) is Villa’s marathon man right now with so many injuries in their midfield

But 28-year-old Tielemans is the star of this Villa show – not least after his late shove from Emery, who cleared up the altercation by referring to the Belgian as his ‘son’ – the conductor that can often find himself overlooked such is his consistency.

Keeping him fit between now and May must remain of critical importance.