u/Amethyst-329-607A

The Checklist:

-Main League Objective Fulfilled
-Champions League Football Secured Twice in 3 Seasons
-UCL Secured at Villa Park
-4th Consecutive European Campaign Secured
-Bogey Fixtures Won
-Longest Active Bogey Team Beaten
-Proper Goodbye to this Collective Era-Defining Squad of Players
-Confident Going Into the UEL Final
-No New Injuries (Hopefully) Going Into the UEL Final
-Home Season Ended on a Positive Note
-Breath of Fresh Air Going into the Final League Game

Regardless of what happens in today's game and who Emery ends up playing, it will be the last time we’ll see this era-defining squad at Villa Park. The team needs a rebuild from this summer onwards. Certain players will get emotional and bid farewell to the supporters who went on a rollercoaster of a journey since arriving at this club.

McGinn, Mings (the longest active members) and Abraham helped this team win promotion. Konsa and Luiz then joined to help them win the relegation battle. Martinez, Watkins, and Cash came in to move Villa further up in the league while giving Player-of-the-Season performances. Barkley had his first loan spell before permanently signing years later and provided key moments such as the match winner against Leicester. Buendia, Bailey and Digne then kept Villa competing, had breakout stints and helped them qualify for Europe in the following seasons. Kamara entered the scene and became arguably the most important player under the current system. Pau filled some really big shoes that Mings left behind after suffering an ACL injury on the first day of the 23/24 season. He quickly adapted to the system and earned Champions League qualification. Tielemans gradually developed in his first season and became a crucial creative player to succeed Luiz. Rogers was a U21 player from the Championship with massive potential. He played the most minutes for the team since the 24/25 season, made a difference and showed his value for both club and country. Maatsen added pace and attacking quality, Bogarde’s versatility did justice in the absence of starting players. Onana became a club-record purchase (£50m) and added strength in the midfield.

These players collectively contributed to Villa’s resurrection and growth, gave us unforgettable moments, and will hopefully cap it all off with a long-awaited trophy win. While some players like McGinn and Cash are likely to stay, you can never truly know what will happen. Thus, we need to celebrate them today for their achievements as this is the last time Villa Park will be their home. I know UCL qualification and the UEL final are on the line and some may not play today but let’s also enjoy these players as a group one final time inside this fortress and thank them for everything that they did for us.

It's been 30 years since Villa last lifted a major trophy. A lot has transpired in that time. Many fans including myself were not alive when it happened while others were too young to remember or understand it so we don't know the feeling.

For those who were old enough, I have these questions:

1. How long after that win did you wish for Villa to lift a major trophy again?

2. When did it occur to you that a trophy win was long overdue?

3. Were there any specific trophies you wanted to see Villa win?

Villa and Forest have the right to request their match-day 37 games be moved 2 days earlier than originally scheduled. If they haven't done so then perhaps they should. All fixtures are currently due to play on Sunday, May 17th, which is 3 days before the Europa League final. However, nothing has been confirmed yet as the FA Cup semifinals have just concluded. The Cup final will coincide with the same match-day and the updated schedule is yet to be released as a result. Thus, fans still have time to plan ahead and fixtures can still be rearranged.

Villa haven't guaranteed a place in the UEL final yet but the second legs of the semifinals take place 10 days prior to May 17th. The Premier League also has to give a notice 14 to 21 days in advance for fixture dates to be finalized so the time to request schedule changes is now.

Regarding other possible UEL finalists, Freiburg's last league game of the season is on Sat. May 16th with 3 games left to play. They're currently 8th in Bundesliga below Dortmund on goal difference and are in a tight race for the 7th-place Conference League spot, which can be a UEL place if Germany were to earn the 2nd EPS spot. But they'll also have 4 days to prepare for a potential UEL final which is enough to properly rest all the players. Meanwhile, Braga's last league game is on either May 16th or 17th with 3 games left to go as well. They're sitting in and fighting for 4th in the Primeira Liga which is currently a Conf. League spot but could be a UEL spot if Sporting CP win the Taça de Portugal after clinching top 3 in the league. Braga could still have 3 days to prepare for a UEL final but they also have a 5-point cushion above 5th so they could clinch 4th by the final league game.

As it stands, Villa will have to play Liverpool 3 days before the UEL final without knowing if they'll still have to compete for something in the league by this fixture date. Of course, they can clinch Champions League by then but after every sporadic moment involving all teams this season, anything can transpire from now until the end. If Villa make the final, Emery will need time and space to tactically prepare his side for both games. A 5-day break in between matches can help him do that. It can also help the players adequately rest and keep any momentum going. A 4-day break can help as well but no PL games are allowed to take place on the date of the FA Cup final.

Last year, Spurs requested to move the Villa game to sufficiently rest for a then-possible UEL final against Man United. The Premier League granted it to them within 10 days from the adjusted fixture date, causing attendees to alter their pre-planned arrangements and need compensation for all relevant purchases such as tickets, traveling costs, hotel bookings, etc. The league owners/authorities claimed they did it for the "sake of the English game". If they can reschedule a game like this in short notice then they can reschedule Villa and Forest's matches in proper time's notice. The chances of them doing it are unlikely given that neither team is part of the big-six but if they truly care about the English game and want to see an English team prosper in the final then they should allow the teams 2 extra days of rest if requested.