Vibrant and victorious - Villa ready to end 30-year trophy drought

Vibrant and victorious - Villa ready to end 30-year trophy droughtImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Aston Villa are a game away from their first major silverware since the League Cup in 1996ByNick Mashiter at Villa ParkFootball reporterPublished2 minutes agoCommentsUnai Emery walked into Villa Park and declared he was at Aston Villa to win trophies. In his first press conference in November 2022 the Spaniard's ambition was clear. It has taken a little over three years but Villa are nearly there. In front of a raucous and triumphant Villa Park on Thursday, the club reached the Europa League final with a crushing win over Nottingham Forest. Germany's Freiburg await in Istanbul on 20 May but few would bet against Emery adding a fifth Europa League trophy to his collection. Villa are a game away from their first major silverware for three decades and a first European trophy in 44 years as they look to try to stand with the club's European champions of 1982.'We need to go and win it now'The commentary of Peter Withe's winning goal against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam hangs above the Doug Ellis Stand.In two weeks, Villa may need another banner if they win in Turkey, which would earn a Champions League return regardless if they finish in the top five of the Premier League or not.John McGinn's late double put the gloss on a dominant performance that was too much for Forest to match, or even cope with. Boss Vitor Pereira was able to include Morgan Gibbs-White, Ibrahim Sangare and Murillo on the bench but none were fit and only defender Murillo made it on to the pitch and that just for two minutes with the game lost.But even with that trio fully available, the visitors might have struggled to contain a rampant Villa, who only increased the tempo throughout the match. Ollie Watkins' opener and Emi Buendia's penalty put Villa ahead on the night and then in the tie. After that there was never any doubt in a performance that even...