It was another unforgettable campaign for Aston Villa, with continued growth both on and off the field throughout 2024/25.
A Champions League quarter-final finish came before a first Wembley appearance in 10 years as the men's side reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, while a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League secured European football for the third consecutive campaign in the form of the Europa League.
It was also another stellar year for our flourishing academy. A maiden UEFA Youth League campaign saw Josep Gombau's Young Lions eliminated by eventual champions Barcelona at the round of 16 stage, while Jimmy Shan's under-18s swept up an unprecedented treble, winning the FA Youth Cup and Under-18 Premier League South division title before beating Manchester City in the national final.
Here, we're taking a look back over some of the most memorable and significant quotes throughout the campaign.
December
Villa blew away the defending champions away in B6 four days before Christmas 
Morgan Rogers was again on the scoresheet in our final game of 2025 
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa 
Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford 
An emphatic win gets our FA Youth Cup campaign underway 
Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton 
Into the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League in dramatic fashion 
RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa 
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa 
Winners on penalties against Blackpool by an 18-17 scoreline -
Villa blew away the defending champions away in B6 four days before Christmas -
Morgan Rogers was again on the scoresheet in our final game of 2025 -
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa -
Aston Villa 2-1 Brentford
November’s sticky patch continued into December, as Villa’s winless run extended to eight matches on a difficult afternoon at Stamford Bridge, but Villa responded in midweek as goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash sealed a 3-1 win over Brentford.
A narrow win over Southampton made it back-to-back triumphs at Villa Park that weekend, after Jimmy Shan’s under-18s had opened their FA Youth Cup campaign with an emphatic 6-0 win over Accrington Stanley at Bodymoor Heath.
A trip to Germany saw both the men’s first team and Josep Gombau’s Young Lions in action, the latter coming from behind in dramatic circumstances to seal a 4-3 win over RB Leipzig and their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League, before Ross Barkley’s late strike sealed a 3-2 win in another thrilling encounter against Die Rotten Bullen.
Back on British soil, a late rally from Nottingham Forest saw Villa leave the City Ground empty handed, while Gombau’s under-21s came through a thrilling penalty shoot-out 18-17 at Bloomfield Road to knock League One Blackpool out of the Vertu Trophy.
A strong performance four days before Christmas saw reigning Premier League champions Manchester City beaten 2-1 at Villa Park, but the Villans fell 3-0 to Newcastle United on Boxing Day before closing 2024 in B6 with a point in a 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
“We are not in a spell of good results, but each match is an opportunity to come back with a good result and hopefully we can do it on Wednesday against Brentford with our supporters in Villa Park.”
Unai Emery
December 1 – After his side fell to a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
“Thank you to our supporters. Today it was raining and the time was late but they were here with us. It’s our fortress through the supporters.”
Unai Emery
December 4 – On his gratitude towards Villa’s supporters after his side ended an eight-match winless run at home to Brentford
“The fact we sent the fans home tonight with a win and a positive feeling around the place was important.”
Tyrone Mings
December 4 – On helping bring the feel-good factor back to B6 with a 3-1 win over Brentford
“It’s been a while, over a year since I last got on the scoresheet. I want to try and do it as many times as I can.”
Matty Cash
December 6 – After scoring his first goal in over a year as Villa returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Brentford
“You want to make statements which I think we did. You want to get on the scoresheet and get goals and assists.”
Ben Broggio
December 6 – After a goal and assist in Villa’s 6-0 win over Accrington Stanley in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Bodymoor Heath
“We did today a really good game, very focused.”
Pau Torres
December 7 – Pau Torres after being named Player of the Match in Villa’s 1-0 win over Southampton at Villa Park
“We are so happy. We won the game which, away [from] home, is not easy, and we can go through to the next round.”
Josep Gombau
December 10 – After the Young Lions booked their place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Youth League with a last-gasp 4-3 victory in Leipzig
“I’m happy to get the goal. They all count, and I’m just made up we got the win.”
Ross Barkley
December 10 – After his late, deflected effort sealed a crucial 3-2 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on a thrilling evening in Germany
“After we conceded one goal, we missed calm, I think. After the second goal, it’s difficult to come back against this team.”
Boubacar Kamara
December 14 – After Villa surrendered a one-goal advantage at the City Ground to fall to a late 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest
“We are so happy with them. Everybody worked a lot and ran a lot. The mentality of the team was very good.”
Josep Gombau
December 17 – After Villa’s under-21s triumphed 18-17 in a mammoth penalty shoot-out at League One Blackpool to book their spot in the last 16 of the Vertu Trophy
“They’re full of world class players, a team that everyone should respect, so we had to be on the ball every single second, every minute. Today was a mature performance.”
John McGinn
December 21 – After Villa spread festive cheer in B6 with a 2-1 defeat over reigning champions Manchester City
“We’re finishing this year very happy with the year we closed in Villa Park with our supporters because we’re enjoying Europe in the Champions League.”
Unai Emery
December 30 – After Villa’s final game of 2024, a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion
January
Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic 
Morgan Rogers: Champions League Hat-Trick Hero 
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City 
Our 150th anniversary is celebrated on a special night at Villa Park in the FA Cup third round 
Young Lions lose out to Bradford at Villa Park in Vertu Trophy 
Everton 0-1 Aston Villa 
Cole Brannigan helps the Young Lions emphatically into the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup 
Ollie Watkins scores again at the Emirates 
AS Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa 
Aston Villa 1-1 West Ham United -
Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic -
Morgan Rogers: Champions League Hat-Trick Hero -
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City -
Our 150th anniversary is celebrated on a special night at Villa Park in the FA Cup third round
The Villans opened up 2025 victorious, triumphing 2-1 over Leicester City at Villa Park before a memorable night in B6 as West Ham United were beaten by the same scoreline in the third round of the FA Cup, with the club celebrating its 150th anniversary.
The Young Lions bowed out of the Vertu Trophy at the round of 16 stage despite a valiant effort at Villa Park against eventual semi-finalists and League Two promotion winners Bradford City, while Ollie Watkins’ second half strike sealed a 1-0 win on our final Premier League visit to Goodison Park.
Jimmy Shan’s under-18s marched into round five of the FA Youth Cup with a 4-0 win at Newcastle, before Emery’s men staged an impressive comeback at the Emirates Stadium to draw 2-2 with title contenders Arsenal.
Villa lost ground in the race for a top eight finish in the Champions League with a 1-0 defeat in Monaco but, after a 1-1 league draw at home to the Hammers, made amends in B6 three days later against Celtic.
Morgan Rogers struck twice in the opening five minutes to put the hosts in the driving seat, but Adam Idah’s quickfire double squared things off again at the break. Watkins put the Villans back ahead after the interval before Rogers completed a historic hat-trick in stoppage time to send his side straight into the round of 16.
“It felt great. It felt like we needed to get another win. Important three points.”
Ross Barkley
January 4 – After scoring in Villa’s first game of 2025, a 2-1 win at home to Leicester City
“It’s amazing. When I came here, we were not in the situation we are now. You can see the progress of this club. I feel proud to be part of this journey.”
Emi Martínez
January 8 – On the journey he has been on at Aston Villa, ahead of the club’s 150th anniversary fixture against West Ham United at Villa Park in the third round of the FA Cup
“Of course, it is part of my life, something important as a coach.”
Unai Emery
January 9 – On what Aston Villa means to him, ahead of the club’s 150th anniversary fixture against West Ham United at Villa Park in the third round of the FA Cup
“It was really special. That’s the right way to celebrate it for the fans. I think we needed a win.”
Amadou Onana
January 10 – After scoring in Villa’s 2-1 win over West Ham United in the FA Cup third round, as the club celebrated its 150th anniversary
“Amazing, I am very happy, very proud.”
Donyell Malen
January 14 – On joining Aston Villa as the club’s first January recruit
“We need to be happy with the boys and just keep working. This is one more football lesson for them and for us, so keep going and keep working hard.”
Josep Gombau
January 14 – After Villa’s under-21s bowed out of the Vertu Trophy with a 3-1 defeat to Bradford City at Villa Park
“I felt like we coped with it really well, and although we didn’t play the best football, we got three points and that’s the most important thing.”
Ollie Watkins
January 15 – After scoring the winner on the road in a midweek 1-0 triumph at Everton, Villa’s final Premier League visit to Goodison Park
“I thought they were ruthless in the final third, and we deserved to get the four goals.”
Jimmy Shan
January 16 – After an emphatic 4-0 win away at Newcastle United in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup
“We fought really well to come back into the game, and that’s what we need to remember. We tried to push forward and give it our all.”
Youri Tielemans
January 18 – After scoring the first of Villa’s two goals at the Emirates Stadium, after they came from 2-0 down to take a point with a 2-2 draw
“Our target is to be in the top eight and tomorrow is the key.”
Unai Emery
January 20 – Ahead of Villa’s meeting with Monaco, their penultimate outing of the Champions League league phase
“I think it’s the dream that every footballer has, and it’s a huge step for me which I’m facing with excitement and, above all, with lots of respect towards the club. For me, it’s a tremendous honour to be able to defend these colours.”
Andrés García
January 21 – After becoming Villa’s second signing of the winter transfer window
“Football’s a very simple game and we weren’t good enough. It definitely wasn’t a lack of effort, (but) we have no excuses.”
Tyrone Mings
January 21 – After Villa’s 1-0 Champions League defeat in Monaco meant they had to win on matchday eight to have any chance of qualifying automatically for the round of 16
“It’s tough. There’s so many games, but there’s no excuse to go less pace. Every game is tough, but we try our best, 100%. Now we have to just recover, and focus on our next game.”
Ian Maatsen
January 26 – After Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at home to West Ham United
“To think when I was eight years old when I signed for Villa, to be playing in the Champions League at 23 years old and at Villa Park, with my family and friends in the stadium.”
Jacob Ramsey
January 28 – Ahead of Villa’s final game of the Champions League league phase, at home to Celtic
“I’ve never had that experience, that feeling before, and to do it on this stage in a big game that we knew we needed to win is something I’ll remember forever.”
Morgan Rogers
January 29 – After scoring a first career hat-trick in Villa’s thrilling 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League, securing a top eight finish at Villa Park and progression to the round of 16
February
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa 
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City 
Andrés García made his debut as our February started in defeat at Wolves 
Donyell Malen became our first signing of the winter transfer window 
A dramatic comeback in the FA Youth Cup as Mason Cotcher's hat-trick defeated Bristol City 
Goals from Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers secured a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup 
A win in Hungary to advance to the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League 
Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich Town 
Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool 
Marco Asensio's first two goals in claret and blue sealed a late win over Chelsea -
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa -
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City -
Andrés García made his debut as our February started in defeat at Wolves -
Donyell Malen became our first signing of the winter transfer window
With two new faces through the door in Donyell Malen and Andrés García, Villa were beaten at Molineux in their first game of February, but acted swiftly before the transfer deadline to complete loan moves for Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi.
Both Rashford and Asensio debuted from the bench against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup as Villa booked their place in round five, while the academy sides continued to impress – coming from behind to beat Bristol City 3-2 in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, before a 2-1 win in Hungary over Puskás Akadémia sealed a spot in the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League.
A point at home to Ipswich Town was followed by another draw at Villa Park against would-be champions Liverpool, who needed a second-half equaliser from Trent Alexander-Arnold to salvage a share of the spoils.
Marco Asensio scored his first two goals for the club at Villa Park against Chelsea as Emery men came from behind to triumph late on against Chelsea, with Villa quickly putting a 4-1 defeat at Selhurst Park to the back of their minds to ensure they marched into the sixth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Cardiff City – courtesy of another Asensio double.
“We just weren’t good enough today, simple as that. Second half, I thought we performed much better, put a lot a pressure on, but it just wasn’t enough.”
Ezri Konsa
February 1 – After Villa fell to a 2-0 defeat on the road at Wolverhampton Wanderers
“It’s the constant ambition that’s attractive, and it’s why you want to join such a club. You want to keep improving year on year, and that’s what the team has been doing and are doing this year.”
Marcus Rashford
February 2 – After signing on loan from Manchester United
“Unai is a coach that I’ve known for a while. He’s had a great career, he’s a top coach, he’s been key in me being able to come here because of his idea of how he wants to play football. I love it, it suits me perfectly and he’s a really important person as to why I’m here right now.”
Marco Asensio
February 3 – Praising the influence of Unai Emery after signing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain
“I’m just a guy that loves to give everything for the team, and it’s this that I want to bring. I am very happy to be here.”
Axel Disasi
February 3 – After signing on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day for the remainder of the season
“Quality could have been better at times, but the spirit to come back and win the game, (was) top drawer. I just want to keep scoring as many as I can, help the team through the rounds, hopefully get to the final and win the full thing.”
Mason Cotcher
February 4 – After his hat-trick sealed a memorable comeback in a 3-2 win over Bristol City at Bodymoor Heath in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup
“It’s really important. Against Tottenham we haven’t won in a long time. Every time it’s a tough game and we want to do our best in front of Villa Park.”
Lucas Digne
February 8 – Ahead of Villa’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park
“This week, the manager hit a reset button in terms of new players in. It’s from now until the end of the season, that last big push. That started with today, and that start. I thought we were outstanding, especially that first half.”
Morgan Rogers
February 9 – After a goal and an assist in Villa’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth round of the FA Cup
“We are excited to play in this competition. All the boys are ready and very motivated, and just waiting for kick-off. For everybody, for all of us, it is a really good experience, as a youth team to come and play here in Hungary.”
Josep Gombau
February 11 – Ahead of Villa’s UEFA Youth League round of 32 clash with Puskás Akadémia in Hungary
“It feels great – for the team, and for us as a group. It’s been a good trip. I think what we should take from it is that if we stay together as a team and play as a team and keep fighting together, we’ll be good.”
Charlie Pavey
February 12 – After scoring what would prove to be the winner in Villa’s UEFA Youth League round of 32 triumph over Puskás Akadémia in Hungary
“We lost a very good opportunity, but we played aiming to win. We deserved to win and the goalkeeper saved a lot of actions. We have to accept this point because they defended very well and competed very well.”
Unai Emery
February 15 – After his side were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich Town
“The boys felt comfortable, and it’s a shame we couldn’t get three points, but we’re unbeaten here at Villa Park for a long time now and we’re making it really hard for teams.”
Ollie Watkins
February 19 – After scoring in a 2-2 draw at home to would-be Premier League champions Liverpool at Villa Park
“These are the games we want to win and that we need to win to close the gap to them. Hopefully we can do that.”
Youri Tielemans
February 21 – Ahead of Villa’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea
“I am so happy. The performance from the team was incredible. The team is in the right way, so I am very happy for the first goal, and of course for the win.”
Marco Asensio
February 22 – On Sky Sports, after his first two goals in claret and blue sealed a late 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Villa Park
“It’s tough to lose here. We have to accept it. We are frustrated and we have to try to move on. We are thinking now, there are another two competitions we have for the next weeks to play – in the FA Cup, and to play as well in the Champions League.”
Unai Emery
February 25 – After his side fell to a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace
“Firstly, we have respect for the competition. Secondly, we respect every team that is competing in this round. We are playing at home in Villa Park and we have to feel strong. To be consistent is our challenge.”
Unai Emery
February 27 – Ahead of his side’s FA Cup meeting with Championship strugglers Cardiff City
“It was dangerous. It was a tricky game. We were the favourites to win against a Championship side fighting relegation. I think we did a good job today. We should have won by four, five goals.”
Emi Martínez
February 28 – After Villa’s 2-0 win over Cardiff City in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Villa Park
Stay tuned for the third and final instalment of our 'season in quotes' feature.
