Unai Emery’s team reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League, eventually being knocked out 5-4 on aggregate by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain in an all-time classic.
They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup and while a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League wasn’t enough to secure a Champions League return, they will play in Europe for a third successive season next term.
**Success**
This was another season which will live long in the memory for Villa supporters. Unai Emery’s team won 32 matches in all competitions, setting a new club record for a top flight campaign.
The brightest moments, undoubtedly, came in the Champions League, where Villa proved they belong on Europe’s biggest stage. Last October’s 1-0 win over Bayern Munich was the moment the club renounced itself as a serious force, though it was the thrilling 5-4 aggregate defeat to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain which left no doubt they could be serious contenders to actually win the competition in years to come.
In the Premier League, Villa set a new club record for consecutive home matches unbeaten, beating the previous mark set earlier in Emery’s reign. They finished the season on a run of five straight home wins which helped secure European qualification for a third straight season.
**Failures**
This was also a season which lacked a glorious finish. Villa got close in both the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup but ultimately fell short of their targets in all three competitions.