Aston Villa extended their extraordinary charge under Unai Emery by securing an eighth consecutive victory, overcoming Basel in a Europa League clash that showcased their resilience and depth. The head coach reshuffled his lineup heavily after the dramatic Premier League success against Arsenal, yet the visitors still seized control when Evann Guessand swept in his second finish since arriving from Nice.
The Swiss side, urged on by home fans and observed by national icon Roger Federer, restored parity when Flavius Daniliuc glanced in a clever set piece engineered by ex-Liverpool and Stoke midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri.
Despite Basel’s surge, Villa again relied on an impact substitute to turn the match their way. Youri Tielemans, introduced in the second half, struck crisply from the edge of the area after Emiliano Buendia set him up, sealing a fifth continental victory of the campaign.
Momentum builds as Villa close in on last-16 berth
The win keeps Villa firmly positioned for a direct route into the knockout rounds, collecting 15 points from six outings with fixtures at Fenerbahce and at home to Red Bull Salzburg still on the schedule.
Emery praised his players for sustaining their competitive edge after what he described as “wars” in recent matches, acknowledging the difficulty of maintaining intensity following the emotional win over Arsenal.
Basel pressed late on, threatening to level again, yet Villa held firm to protect their flawless European record away from home this season.
The result guarantees at least a playoff place, and another positive outcome in the remaining group matches would virtually secure an automatic last-16 slot.
Strength in depth underpins Villa’s surge
Returning to the arena where he lifted the Europa League with Sevilla in 2016, Emery oversaw a performance that highlighted the options available throughout his squad. Only Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, and Amadou Onana remained from the weekend’s starting XI, while key figures such as Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Morgan Rogers were limited to short cameos. Emiliano Martinez was rested entirely with a league match at West Ham looming.
Emery emphasized that the rotational strategy was intentional from the start of the season, aiming to keep every squad member involved and ready to contribute.
Villa endured a few uneasy moments as Basel pushed forward, but their organization and belief endured, allowing them to protect their lead and continue a remarkable sequence of results.
Having opened the year without a victory in their opening six matches and failing to find the net in their first four, Villa have since claimed 14 wins from 16 in all competitions—placing them among the most in-form sides across Europe’s elite leagues.
