Europa league and FA Cup success: January review at Aston Villa
One defeat so far in 2026 as we look into January for Unai Emery’s men Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest Aston Villa made a perfect start to the new year with a convincing 3-1 win over Sean Dyche’s men, wasting no time in bouncing back from a heavy 4-1 defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates earlier that week. A goal from Ollie Watkins on his 250th appearance for the club and two second-half goals from Scotland international John McGinn guided Villa to an 11th straight victory at Villa Park, their longest winning run since 1980. Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa Up next was a tough away trip to Selhurst Park to face a Palace side who were undefeated against Villa in their last six encounters but were struggling themselves domestically, having not recorded a home win since the beginning of November. A frustrating goalless draw, which saw Emery’s side have fifteen shots on goal, meant Villa failed to tighten the gap to three points on Arsenal at the top of the table. Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa (FA Cup) It was a break from league action with Villa travelling to North London as they began their FA Cup journey with an impressive 2-1 win against fellow Premier League outfit Spurs. A strong opening half saw first-half goals from Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers give Villa a two-goal cushion at the break, and despite an improved display from Thomas Frank’s side in the second half, which saw Wilson Odobert pull a goal back, Villa held on to book a place in the fourth round as a home tie against Newcastle United awaits later this month. Aston Villa 0-1 Everton Villa went into this game knowing a win would see them overtake Manchester City into second place after they had fallen to a 2-0 defeat in the Manchester Derby the day before. However, they were unable to take advantage of that opportunity and instead suffered only a third defeat at Villa Park this season in what was an uninspiring performance, to say the least. Villa showed a real lack of urgency and quality in the final third for large spells, and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez’s mistake, which led to Everton’s goal, proved to be costly in the end. Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa On a more positive note, Villa would go on to secure automatic qualification for the last 16 in the Europa League with a game to spare, as they grounded out a 1-0 win over José Mourinho’s Fenerbahce, courtesy of Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho netting his first goal for the club. Villa were perhaps unfortunate not to have won by more, having missed some big chances, and had a second goal for Jadon Sancho ruled out for offside before half-time. Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa Not many people would have predicted Emery’s men to win either of their away matches against both Fenerbahce and Newcastle before a ball was kicked due to Villa’s injury issues, but they did exactly that. Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins scored in either half to secure a first away win at St James’ Park since 2005 and ensure Villa’s strong away form in the league continued, as they would go level on points with second-placed Manchester City for the time being. Aston Villa 3-2 Red Bull Salzburg Villa would end the month with three points against German opposition Red Bull Salzburg as the league phase of the Europa League ended, with Villa already through. Villa showed resilience and character as they fought from 2-0 down to win it late on, with 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba coming off the bench to net his first senior goal for the club, as Villa ended the league phase of the Europa League unbeaten at Villa Park, and they can now look forward to the knockout stages in March.
Kieron Bowie departs Hibernian in Club-Record transfer to Hellas Verona
Hibernian have officially confirmed the departure of striker Kieron Bowie for a club record fee, as the 23-year-old has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal with Italian side Hellas Verona. The fee is understood to be in the region of £6 million and has the potential to rise to £7 million with future add-ons. Bowie’s former club Fulham are also set to profit from this deal due to a significant 20% sell-on clause. It was reported on Tuesday that the Easter Road outfit had rejected an initial opening bid from Hellas Verona for the Scotland striker, but the Serie A strugglers had since returned with a second offer that was ultimately too good to turn down. Bowie joined Hibs in August 2024 from Fulham for just £600,000 and made a total of 52 appearances for David Gray’s men, registering 15 goals and five assists during his time at the club, whilst also earning his first ever senior Scotland call-up at the end of the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign, having been influential towards Hibs’ 17-game unbeaten run and third-place finish. The Italian top tier has proven to be a popular destination for Scottish talent to make the move to, as Bowie is now currently the seventh Scot to play in Serie A, joining the likes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson, Lennon Miller, Che Adams and Josh Doig. Hellas Verona sit joint bottom of the Serie A table and will be hoping Bowie can help contribute towards their hopes of a survival bid, whereas Bowie himself will be eager to make an impact in Italy with a place in Scotland’s World Cup squad next summer on the line. Before flying out to Italy early this morning to complete a medical, Bowie spoke to Sky Sports Scotland, saying that he felt the move was good for all parties involved and discussed the opportunity of playing in Italy. Bowie said: “I’ve had 18 months at Hibs now and I’ve done extremely well there. They’ve done well for me, so I think for all parties it’s good. “Italy appeals, there’s obviously a lot of people from Scotland who have gone there and have done well. “It opens a lot of opportunities for myself and my family, which is the main thing. “It’s a top league and obviously with the World Cup coming up, that’s the idea.”
Dunfermline 1-0 Hibernian: Dunfermline defeat Premiership side Hibernian to cause huge cup upset
Dunfermline pulled off a dramatic cup upset at East End Park in the Scottish Cup fourth round as they netted late to defeat Premiership side Hibernian. An own goal from Hibs Midfielder Miguel Chaiwa in the 92nd minute sparked wild celebrations amongst the Dunfermline supporters as Neil Lennon’s side booked their place in the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup. After a cagey start to proceedings from both teams it was the visitors Hibs who carved out the first opportunity of the game in the 10th minute, a good passage of play from Kanayo Megwa and Kieron Bowie, as the Hibs number nine did well to earn his side a corner, Rocky Bushiri was unable to get any real connection onto his header from Jordan Obita’s delivery with Dunfermline keeper Deniz Mehmet collecting with ease. A free-kick from Hibs midfielder Jamie McGrath had initially looked to have been over-hit, but Deniz Mehmet in the Pars goal was on hand to get a hand to it and put it out for a Hibs corner, which was quickly cleared from danger. Dunfermline created a few half chances and had several corners for the Hibs backline to deal with but none of which were any concern to Raphael Sallinger in the Hibs net. As the match entered the half hour mark, play was stopped as Josh Mulligan required treatment from the Hibs physios after picking up an ankle injury, the 23-year-old’s afternoon ended as he was replaced by Miguel Chaiwa. The best chance of the half came for Hibs moments before the 40th minute mark when Kieron Bowie latched onto a ball that played him through one-on-one with Deniz Mehmet, who done well to prevent Bowie’s effort from going in with his feet. Both sides headed into the interval with the game level at 0-0. Dunfermline could not have made a better start to the second period as they threatened early on. Joe Newell was caught in possession which allowed Matty Tod to let fly from distance, his strike was pushed away well by Raphael Sallinger. The ball was immediately laid back off to Tod, but he couldn’t force it goalwards. Junior Hoilett then tested the fingertips of Deniz Mehmet whose effort was tipped over the bar. Hibs felt as though they should have been awarded a spot kick in the 55th minute when Thibault Klidje’s cross hitting the arm of Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, however refreee Steven Mclean was having none of it. Dunfermline’s latest January signing Callumn Morrison was given his debut and was involved shortly after as he cut inside before managing to get a shot away, his attempt was tame with Sallinger comfortably gathering. David Gray introduced Nicky Cadden and Dan Barlaser in place of Joe Newell and Junior Hoilett as the Hibs boss made a double change after an hour played. Klidje wasted a huge opportunity to put Hibs ahead when Jordan Obita whipped in a well-timed cross, but the Hibs forward could only head the ball right at Deniz Mehmet. Three additional minutes were added on at the end of the second half. Kieran Ngwenya caught the ball on the half volley in the Hibs box with Rapheal Sallinger doing exceptionally well to tip it over the bar for a corner as the Pars ramped up the pressure in search of a late winner. And Neil Lennon’s men done just that in the 92nd Minute. Kieran Ngwenya rose highest from the resulting corner causing the ball to hit off Miquel Chaiwa on its way to goal, sending Dunfermline into the next round of the cup as the 5,000 travelling Hibs supporters left empty-handed.
