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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery also discussed the transfer window
Unai Emery has likened his relationship with Youri Tielemans to a fatherly one after the pair appeared to confront each other when the Aston Villa midfielder was substituted during their Europa League win at Fenerbahce.
Belgium international Tielemans appeared unimpressed when he was replaced in the 92nd minute of the 1-0 victory in Istanbul, where Emery then appeared to shove and shout at the 28-year-old.
“He is like my son,” Emery said when he was asked about the curious incident, appearing to play down the prospect of a rift with one of his senior players.
Youri Tielemans clashed with Unai Emery when he was subbed off against Fenerbahce 😳
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/jPK3YdKsto
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Emery hinted that he wants to sign players before the end of the transfer window at the end of January, saying the club has an “opportunity” to “complete the structure of our squad”.
“We will try to set everyone focusing on the match on Sunday [away to Newcastle] and next Thursday [at home to Salzburg],” he added.
“After the transfer window, we will focus the season on the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.”
With 16 matches of the Premier League campaign remaining, third-placed Villa are seven points behind leaders Arsenal and seven above Liverpool in fourth.
Jadon Sancho headed their only goal during the first half against Fenerbahce, ensuring they automatically qualified for the Europa League last 16 with a match to spare.
Jadon Sancho gives Aston Villa the lead away against Fenerbahce 🔥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/AmnMxEs01M
The result left the English club five points clear of the play-off places with one game remaining in the league phase.
Villa will discover their next opponents in the competition on February 27, with the round of 16 taking place across the second and third weeks of March.
Fenerbahce, who are almost certain to be in the play-offs, visit FCSB in the final round of matches on January 29 (20:00 GMT), when Villa simultaneously host Salzburg.
A 62nd win in the Europa League for Unai Emery secures Aston Villa's spot in the last-16 👏
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sq7iAANqMe
Villa made five changes from their defeat to Everton on Sunday and were without goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, midfielders Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Ross Barkley and new winger Alysson.
Goalkeeper Marco Bizot came in, as did Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings in central defence, Lucas Digne at left-back and wideman Sancho.
Midfielder Amadou Onana returned on the bench.
Aston Villa starting XI: Marco Bizot, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Jadon Sancho, Lamare Bogarde, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa substitutes: Sam Proctor, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Andres Garcia, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Evann Guessand, Kadan Young, George Hemmings, James Wright
Villa’s List A Europa League squad has been registered until the round of 16 in February 2026, when clubs can add a maximum of three new players within the existing limit of 25.
Goalkeepers: Emi Martinez, Marco Bizot
Defenders: Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres
Midfielders: Andres García, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Jadon Sancho, Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Harvey Elliott
Forwards: Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, Morgan Rogers, Evann Guessand
List B submissions, comprised of players born after January 1, 2004 who have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday, can also be made until midnight before each match.
In a change from the previous group stage held until 2023/24, each team now plays eight matches in the league phase, all against different opponents.
The top eight sides in the table qualify automatically for the round of 16. The teams finishing in ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout phase play-off to reach the last 16.
Teams finishing 25th or lower are out of Europe for the season.
Knockout phase play-offs: February 17/18 & 24/25 2026
Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18 2026
Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15 2026
Semi-finals: April 28/29 and May 5/6 2026
Final: May 30 2026
Knockout phase play-offs: January 30 2026
Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final: February 27 2026
Villa qualified by finishing sixth in 2024/25, although they would have been in the Champions League had they not lost at Manchester United on the final day.
Nottingham Forest’s participation comes after they were promoted from the Conference League because of a UEFA ruling against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The final will take place on May 20 2026 at the Besiktas Stadium home of 16-time Turkish champions Besiktas.
The stadium hosted a dramatic 2019 Super Cup final, Chelsea and Liverpool each scoring once during regular and extra time before the Reds won on penalties following the 2-2 draw.
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