Two Aston Villa players are going head-to-head to set a new European record in the closing stages of the 2023/24 campaign.
Villa’s success this season has been nothing short of phenomenal. Despite this being Unai Emery’s first full season in charge of the club, the Spaniard has delivered some of the best memories in years for the Villa Park faithful.
The club have once again guaranteed European football after their draw against Chelsea helped confirm Europa League football at a minimum this season.
However, with the Champions League well within their sights, the Birmingham outfit could once again return to the most prestigious competition in club football.
On top of this success, another piece of silverware could be added to Villa’s trophy cabinet by the end of the campaign. Emery’s side are preparing for a Europa Conference League semi-final against Olympiacos on Thursday, with Villa the favourites to win the competition.
Plenty of Villa’s first team have been terrific throughout the tournament. Emi Martinez was the stand-out player in their last match after he saved two penalties against Lille.
Now, two of Emery’s star men could go on to break a new record in the Europa Conference League as the end of the competition looms.
Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz close in on new Europa Conference League record
Two players who have been outstanding throughout the campaign are Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz.
The duo has consistently stepped up when Villa needed them to help achieve the desired result.
Now, the pair are on the verge of making history. Both Villa players sit on four assists each in the Europa Conference League going into the semi-final.
Throughout the competition’s history, no player has achieved more than six. According to ESPN, Cristiano Biraghi holds the record after his fantastic season for Fiorentina in the 2022/23 campaign.
Fares Chaibi matched this tally this season with Frankfurt. However, the German side has now crashed out of the competition.
This gives Bailey or Douglas Luiz the perfect opportunity to smash this record with three potential games left to play.
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Another potential record to add to Aston Villa’s collection
Villa have already broken multiple records this season. Emery’s winning streak at Villa Park was by far the most impressive after hitting 15 consecutive victories.
Now, Bailey and Douglas Luiz have the perfect opportunity to see their name written into the history books.
The duo have been widely praised for their performances this campaign. Bailey has been seen as a potential future Villa captain. In comparison, Douglas Luiz’s ‘understanding and calmness’ on the ball has been subject to plenty of praise.
Therefore, going into the tail end of the Europa Conference League, there is no reason why either of the two cannot reach the seven-assist mark by the competition’s end.
Douglas Luiz has become an expert corner taker thanks to the genius of Villa’s set-piece coach Austin MacPhee. Bailey has also continued to improve as each week passes and he picked up an assist himself in the 3-1 victory against Bournemouth last month.
As long as the duo stay focused on the task, history, alongside a trophy, should be coming their way this May.
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