Aston Villa secure European football
Villa will play in the Europa Conference League next season.
Last updated 29th May 2023
Aston Villa have secured European football for the first time since 2010.
In a remarkable turnaround - a 2-1 win at home to Brighton has seen them finish the season 7th in the Premier League.
Villa were just a point above the relegation zone when Unai Emery arrived in October.
Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins secured the two goals at Villa Park which bagged the side Europa Conference League qualification for next season.
Following the victory, boss Unai Emery said: "I think we were very, very competitive in the matches we were playing. Today at home, we finished perfect. The last six matches winning.
"Today was against Brighton, very good team, very competitive team."
On the prospect of European football, Emery added: "I enjoy a lot to play in Europe, of course it is going to be more difficult - more matches, more travels. But I think it's a big motivation for me, for everybody.
"Try to add more matches here on Thursday's here at Villa Park, or travelling."
Villa last played in Europe during the 2010/11 campaign, when they were knocked out by Rapid Vienna in the play-off stage of the Europa League.
The side's seventh place finish is their highest in a Premier League season since 2009-10, when they finished sixth.