Unai Emery keen for extended European run with Aston Villa
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery said it was mission accomplished after his side cruised into the European Conference League group stage with an 8-0 aggregate win against Hibernian. Villa were 5-0 up from a resounding win in Edinburgh last week and completed formalities in the second leg as first-half goals from Jhon Duran and Leon Bailey put them out of sight. Substitute Matty Cash sealed a 3-0 win on the night as Villa hosted European football for the first time since 2010 and they now await Friday’s group-stage draw in Monaco to learn who they will face. Four-time Europa League winner Emery said: “Yes of course (I’m happy). We finished it tonight. “We needed to be in the group stage and we have to be happy and enjoy it with our supporters. “Today it was a full stadium and to finish and qualify was fantastic. I’m really happy because I really enjoy it in Europe and I want to enjoy it now with Aston Villa.” The Spaniard is expecting Villa to complete the loan signing of Clement Lenglet before the transfer window closes on Friday. “He’s not completely signed, but he’s close to signing with us,” Emery said. “He’s a player who can help us. With the injury to Tyrone Mings, he can replace him in the squad.” Emery said it “was possible” that Philippe Coutinho could leave Villa Park on deadline day and added: “I’m very happy with our squad. “The club made a big effort to complete our squad. There’s still one day to go and we’re going to be ready.” Hibs are going through a difficult spell having sacked manager Lee Johnson on Sunday after a home defeat to Livingston had left them bottom of the cinch Premiership without a point. They were outclassed for large periods in both legs against Villa, but were given a rapturous send-off by their noisy 2,200 travelling fans and caretaker boss David Gray said he was proud of them and his players. Former Hibs defender Gray, appointed caretaker for a third time after Johnson’s departure, said: “I’m proud of the players. “They worked right to the very end in difficult circumstances all round at the football club at the moment, but I can’t fault the effort or commitment from the players. “Playing against this level of opposition, if you switch off for a split second or make a slight mistake, you get punished. They’re a top, top team with fantastic players.” On Hibs’ impressive following, Gray added: “I’ve been at the club nearly 10 years now and they’ve always been fantastic. “You say there was 2,000, I’m sure there was a lot more that came down. Fantastic support as always.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Boulter relieved not to be defaulted after reaching US Open third round LGBT+ England fans may shun Jordan Henderson for ‘turning his back’ on them Gareth Southgate admits Raheem Sterling not happy after England snub
2023-09-01 06:57
Kansas officials are no longer required to change trans people’s birth certificates, judge says
A federal judge says Kansas officials are no longer required to change transgender people’s birth certificates so the documents reflect their gender identities
2023-09-01 06:57
College football Week 1 picks, predictions for every Top 25 game
College football Week 1 picks for Florida State vs. LSU, Utah vs. Florida, UNC vs. South Carolina and every Top 25 game on the schedule.
2023-09-01 06:55
'Marcus Aurelius' statue seized from Cleveland museum in looting probe
The statue, believed from Turkey, is part of an antiquities smuggling probe, NY investigators say.
2023-09-01 06:53
US regulators might change how they classify marijuana. Here's what that would mean
When it emerged this week that U.S. health regulators are suggesting that the federal government loosen restrictions on marijuana, the news lit up the world of weed
2023-09-01 06:53
Rule allowing rail shipments of LNG will be put on hold to allow more study of safety concerns
A Trump-era rule allowing railroads to haul highly flammable liquefied natural gas will now be formally put on hold to allow more time to study the safety concerns related to transporting that fuel and other substances like hydrogen that must be kept at extremely low temperatures when they are shipped
2023-09-01 06:52
48 killed in east DR Congo anti-UN rally crackdown
At least 48 people have been killed in a crackdown on an anti-UN protest in eastern DR Congo, according to sources and official documentation reviewed by AFP on Thursday...
2023-09-01 06:51
Inter Miami players receive call-ups for September international fixtures
Several Inter Miami players will be suiting up for their nations come mid-September.
2023-09-01 06:51
Claimed by Cincinnati Reds, New York native Harrison Bader hopes for future return to Yankees
The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Harrison Bader off waivers in an effort to boosts their playoff push
2023-09-01 06:50
John Herdman unveiled as new Toronto FC head coach
Toronto FC unveiled John Herdman as their newest head coach.
2023-09-01 06:50
Why did Jimmy Kimmel refuse Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's offer? 'Chasing Amy' stars wanted to pay the host's staff during strike
'Ben Affleck and the despicable Matt Damon contacted me and offered to pay our staff for two weeks,' said Jimmy Kimmel
2023-09-01 06:47
SentinelOne raises full-year forecast, adds partnership with Wiz still on
By Akshita Toshniwal SentinelOne Inc raised its annual revenue forecast on Thursday, riding on resilient adoption of its
2023-09-01 06:47