Is this really happening? Unai Emery has transformed this team and club. Beating the second placed, Eredivisie title chasing AZ with consummate ease just adds to the utter insanity of the blooming fruition of the team that Dean Smith founded. What a time to be Villa.

Villa face AZ Alkmaar for the first time in competitive football, AZ become the 167th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 46th continental European opponents and their second from the Netherlands following their victory over Ajax in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup.

Youri Tielemans scores his first goal in a Villa shirt on his 15th appearance (5 Starts) to make it W10 D1 L4, 1 Goal and 1 Assist so far in his Villa career.

John McGinn scores his 20th goal in a Villa shirt on his 198th appearance (190 Starts) to make it W82 D50 L76, 20 Goals, 24 Assists and 48 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Boubacar Kamara makes his 40th appearance in a Villa shirt (36 starts) to make it W22 D4 L14, 1 Goal, 1 Assist and 6 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Leon Bailey collects his 10th booking in a Villa shirt on his 67th appearance (42 Starts) to make it W30 D7 L30, 12 Goals, 9 Assists and 10 Bookings at a goal involvement rate of one every 2.00 starts so far in his Villa career.