They say a week is a long time in football. For Aston Villa, the last decade has been a complete revolution.

Cast your mind back to 2016: a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United confirmed Villa's relegation to the Championship, ending a 29-year stay in the top flight. It was a low point for the historic 1982 European Cup winners, sparking years of uncertainty and a struggle for identity.

Fast forward to today, and the scene at Villa Park is unrecognizable. Under the meticulous guidance of Unai Emery, spectacular European nights have become the standard. A commanding 7-1 aggregate victory over Bologna this week wasn't just a win; it was a statement, sealing their place in the Europa League semi-finals with an air of expectation, not just hope.

This marks Villa's second European semi-final in just three seasons under Emery, a stunning turnaround that includes a Conference League run and a Champions League quarter-final appearance. Star striker Ollie Watkins, who netted a brace in the second leg, summed up the feeling: "If someone told me we'd be fighting for the Champions League and in a semi-final of the Europa League a couple of years ago I'd have bitten their hand off."

The ambition doesn't stop in Europe. Villa are firmly entrenched in the Premier League's top-four race, battling to secure a coveted Champions League spot for next season. From the despair of relegation a decade ago to now facing a European semi-final against Nottingham Forest, this is the thrilling new normal for Aston Villa. Under Emery, the club isn't just participating; they are competing with the elite, rewriting their history with every match.