UNAI TO HEND TROPHY WAIT
JORDAN HENDERSON says Unai Emery stands a “great chance” of ending Aston Villa’s trophy drought.
The England international emerged after a tough night in which his Ajax side were dumped out of the Europa Conference League following a 4-0 drubbing to pay tribute to the work being undertaken at Villa Park.
Henderson battled gamely throughout the two legs but the scale of the job he has taken on was laid bare as the Dutch masters were taught a lesson.
Villa, who face West Ham in the Premier League tomorrow, have not won any domestic or European honour since 1996 when they defeated Leeds in the League Cup.
Henderson believes this could be their year for success.
He said: “I’m a really big fan of the manager. He’s done an amazing job since he’s come into the club. They’ve got a great chance of going on to win this competition.
“They were the better team against us and deserved to go through.”
Henderson also pinpointed the club’s leading scorer Ollie Watkins as the man who can spearhead Villa’s glory charge.
Watkins was subbed after scoring the opening goal against Ajax. It looked at first as though he had jarred a knee, sparking fears that he might be set for a spell on the sidelines.
However, it appears that it was a cut and he will be patched up ahead of the trip to West Ham.
Henderson said: “Ollie is an amazing player. He’s got everything for a centre-forward.”
Emery will have to make changes to his line-up tomorrow as skipper John McGinn is suspended following his dismissal for violent conduct last week during the home defeat by Spurs.