Aston Villa have reached the Europa League final after beating Nottingham Forest 4-0 with heroics from their skipper, John McGinn, winning 4-1 on aggregate.
The Scotsman scored twice in three minutes to kill off the contest after an initial strike from Ollie Watkins and a spotkick by Emi Buendia, who was a star on the night.
Unai Emery’s team will play German side Freiburg in the final, after they advanced past SC Braga, 4-3 on aggregate.
It was an electric atmosphere at Villa Park, which even saw the future king, Prince William, jumping out of his seat.
Aston Villa have reached the Europa Conference League final
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Captain McGinn nearly created an excellent opportunity in the opening three minutes, floating in a lovely delivery towards Ezri Konsa, but the Englishman could not quite get on the end of it.
Omari Hutchinson up the other end nearly pulled Forest ahead on the night with a fizzing left-footed effort just over the top of Emi Martinez’s bar.
Pau Torres nearly put the Villains in front not long after, but saw his looping header tipped over by Stefan Ortega.
Villa continued to pile on the pressure, with Emi Buendia having a free kick from close range blocked over the top of the Germans’ goal.
It was not to be for Nottingham Forest on the night
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Watkins then picked up a nasty head injury, having to be bandaged up, but was able to continue.
Youri Tielemans, just past the half-hour mark, was next to go close but put his shot wide from distance.
Villa continued to pile on the pressure, and eventually the Forest backline was broken, as Buendia did amazingly to dance past Jair Cunha and Elliot Anderson, picking out Watkins in the six-yard box to tap in from close range.
Game on at Villa Park, and the atmosphere was there to match it, with the home supporters going ballistic.
Watkins kick-started the scoring for Villa
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Watkins then nearly scored again, striking towards the bottom right corner, which was well-saved by Ortega.
It was an even start in the second half until Pau Torres was pulled down by Nikola Milenkovic, which after a VAR check, was given by Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg.
Buendia then converted into the bottom left corner, passed Ortega, who despite going the right way, could not get down to save the Argentine’s strike.
A cultured penalty to put Villa into the lead for the first time in the contest.
Villa will play in their first major European final in 44 years
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Morgan Rogers then went close with a strike on the edge of the box, as things started to become desperate for Forest.
Chris Wood then had a golden opportunity as he spun behind the Villa goal, but was denied by Martinez.
With 13 minutes to play, McGinn wrapped up the tie, smashing past Ortega into the bottom left corner, as Unai Emery held back his tears of joy.
It was jubilation for the home supporters, as their captain and superstar came of age, not once but twice, scoring again just three minutes later with a fantastic finish into the bottom right corner.
Villa saw out the contest, to win 4-1 on aggregate and set up a trip to Istanbul later this month against Freiburg.
