This is the moment Aston Villa secured Champions League football for the first time ever after Tottenham’s defeat to Man City confirmed the Midlands club’s fourth-place finish – resulting in wild scenes of celebration and joy.
When the whistle blew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Villa’s suit-clad players and staff were delighted after what is a monumental achievement.
But not everyone was in a celebratory mood at the club’s end-of-season awards dinner.
As champagne flowed and hugs were shared, Ollie Watkins looked somber as he sat in his seat, while Unai Emery and Co threw their hands in the air in sheer delight.
The rather strange response will have left many scratching their heads as to why the team’s star striker was delayed in not celebrating securing Champions League football.
Unai Emery (right) and his Aston Villa staff and team celebrate securing Champions League football, but Ollie Watkins (circled) is somber.
Watkins looks gutted as it has been confirmed that Champions League football will be played at Villa Park
However, a reason for Watkins’ bizarre reaction can be explained after an interview he had in 2022 recently resurfaced online – and it’s because he’s a big Arsenal fan.
In an interview with YouTube personality Chunkz, Watkins was asked who he supported growing up, to which the England star replied: ‘I’m a big Arsenal fan. Thierry Henry is, in my opinion, the best player to have played in the Premier League; he could do everything.’
While Watkins soon joined his teammates to celebrate the achievement, his hilarious reaction is understandable as Man City’s victory over Spurs means his beloved Gunners are unlikely to win their first league title in 20 years.
Haaland’s goal and extra-time penalty in the 51st minute – moments after substitute Stefan Ortega saved brilliantly from Son Heung-min – sent City back to the top at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ahead of their final match against West Ham on Sunday.
Title rivals Arsenal, who are two points behind City on 86 points and a superior goal difference, needed Pep Guardiola’s side to drop points if they were to have the fate of the title in their hands this weekend.
Another interview from 2022 has surfaced in which Watkins explains he is a big Arsenal fan
Erling Haaland scored twice to lift Man City back above Arsenal to the top of the table
The defeat against City secured Aston Villa a place in next season’s Champions League
Meanwhile, it was Emiliano Martinez who led Aston Villa’s wild celebrations in Birmingham on Tuesday evening.
Emery made history by guiding the former European champions to the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
The Spaniard was apparently delighted when news reached him that they had secured their place in the Champions League alongside Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
When it was announced to those present that Villa would be playing among Europe’s elite next season, Emery – who was sitting among his coaching staff – threw his arms in the air and roared with relief.
Had Spurs beaten Man City it would have made for a nail-biting final day after Villa previously turned down the chance to beat Liverpool on Monday, which would have been enough to wrap up the top four race for Tuesday.
Emery’s celebration was dull compared to Argentina goalkeeper Martinez, who quickly pulled the cork off a champagne bottle and began spraying it on his teammates.
Goalkeeper Emi Martinez sprayed several bottles of champagne during dinner in celebration
Martinez (right) sprays champagne with Diego Carlos (left) after the club’s qualification for the Champions League was confirmed
Martinez looked emotional as the team celebrated, wiping his eyes after getting champagne in them. The 31-year-old now has the chance to add a Champions League title to his trophy cabinet in addition to the World Cup.
The former Arsenal shot-stopper continued to play the role of the main troublemaker as he sneaked up on Emery and plied him with alcohol.
Villa defender Diego Carlos also joined in the champagne spraying, possibly with a reprieve after missing a big goal-scoring opportunity against Liverpool the night before.
Youri Telemans, Pau Torres and other Villa stars also beamed as their triumph was confirmed.
Emery later commented on Villa’s performance, telling the dinner crowd: ‘Thank you very much, it’s a very special day today. It’s our dream.
Villa defender Pau Torres found himself in the midst of the chaos as players, staff and fans celebrated
“We started the season trying to get here and we thought this would be the hardest part. We focused heavily on the Premier League, with injured players losing 5-1 at Newcastle.
‘We always had the injured players in our thoughts, but the team was always focused and tried to put in a lot of effort to get the quirk that we had, and today it’s really fantastic to get that.
‘It is best to play the Champions League after the Premier League. You can play in England against the best teams in the world and when you play Champions League you play against the best teams in other countries.
‘We all know the history at Aston Villa, but even in the Champions League we managed to dream to make it and win the Champions League like Aston Villa once did. When we are there, it is easier than when we are not,” he added.
Villa travel to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday for their final Premier League match of the season.