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Aston Villa are on a superb run of form.<\/p>\n
They have won 20 of their past 25 matches (D1, L4) with only Arsenal (21) having won more among teams in Europe’s big-five leagues during that period.<\/p>\n
Their blip on Sunday against Everton meant they missed out on the chance to move second, within four points of Premier League leaders Arsenal – Emery’s old club.<\/p>\n
He made six changes against Fenerbahce and his side dominated, with the 1-0 scoreline flattering the 28-time Turkish champions.<\/p>\n
After the match Emery praised his players for “respecting” the competition, adding he was “so, so happy” with their response.<\/p>\n
Villa’s match-winner Jadon Sancho scored his first goal for the club on his 19th appearance since joining on loan from Manchester United in September.<\/p>\n
“It’s nice to have a manager that backs you and obviously believes in you,” said the 25-year-old forward who has not played for United since August 2024, and whose contract with them expires this summer.<\/p>\n
“He [Emery] just keeps on telling me to be positive every time I play. Every opportunity I get I’m going to try and do 100% and hopefully I can deliver goals.”<\/p>\n
Sancho has only started two Premier League games this season, but in the Europa League he has been in Villa’s starting line-up for each of their past five matches.<\/p>\n
Villa have played 12 times since the start of December, and by guaranteeing a top-eight league-phase finish avoided a two-legged play-off in February.<\/p>\n
Emery still played striker Ollie Watkins for the full 90 minutes on Thursday, and star midfielder Morgan Rogers for 74 minutes.<\/p>\n
He was also able to give Tyrone Mings his first start since November, after the defender recovered from a thigh injury.<\/p>\n
Amadou Onana, who has been out with a hamstring issue, was also given a late cameo off the bench and is another key player returning.<\/p>\n
“[We are] building the team with some circumstances not helping us,” Emery told TNT Sports.<\/p>\n
“But next week we can finish the transfer window and hopefully we can get everything we need to complete the squad for the next months and the competitions we have.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n