Alex Moreno fired Aston Villa into the Europa Conference League knockout stages after a 2-1 win over Legia Warsaw. The defender’s first goal, on his first appearance of the season following a hamstring injury, sent Unai Emery’s side top of Group E. Moussa Diaby opened the scoring before Ernest Muci seized on Boubacar Kamara’s defensive gaffe to level. Victory came after Legia fans clashed with police pre-match, launching missiles and injuring three officers to ensure there were no visiting supporters inside Villa Park. Around 2,000 fans had gathered, despite Legia having a restricted allocation of 1,000 following supporters’ behaviour in Alkmaar, and were barred from entering the stadium, sparking a row between the clubs with both issuing statements criticising each other. There was no love lost between the clubs, yet it was a fairly forgettable game. Four years ago this week Villa boss Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal after overseeing their longest winless run since 1992. He lasted just 18 months after replacing Arsene Wenger at the Emirates but recovered to win the Europa League with Villarreal, the fourth time he had lifted the trophy. Having taken Villa back into Europe for the first time in 13 years, they reached the knockout stage of the newest competition with a game to spare, although need a point in Mostar in two weeks to book top spot. Legia beat them 3-2 in Warsaw in the opening game in September, opening the scoring after just three minutes, but this time it took the hosts 60 seconds longer to take the lead. Youri Tielemans sent Diaby clear down the right and with the freedom to cut inside, with Artur Jedrzejczyk rapidly backpedalling, he curled into the bottom corner. Emery’s side went for the kill and Jhon Duran’s pace saw him tear past Steve Kapuadi and Jedrzejczyk, only to be denied by Kacper Tobiasz before Clement Lenglet nodded the resulting corner wide. The hosts were in control – with no Legia fans in the stadium – but Villa Park was silenced after 20 minutes. It was all of the hosts’ own making when Robin Olsen, handed a rare start, found Kamara on the edge of the area only for the midfielder to play a blind pass straight to Muci. The Albania international, who scored twice against Villa in September, still had plenty to do but kept his cool to lift a fine effort over the stranded Olsen from the edge of the box. With it, Villa lost their mojo and Legia flourished although it took until three minutes after the break for them to go close to adding a second. Pawel Wszolek crossed and Gil Dias stooped to send a looping header onto the top of the bar with Olsen beaten. The escape roused Villa and Tobiasz thwarted Diaby before Moreno grabbed the winner after 59 minutes. The left back, making his first appearance since May, latched onto Douglas Luiz’s free-kick to hook in from close range. From then, Villa saw the game out and could have even had a third with three minutes left when Leon Bailey hit the bar after lobbing Tobiasz. Read More You’ve got to dream big: Lewis Dunk eyes Europa League glory with Brighton David Moyes urges West Ham to finish the job and top Group A Tomas Soucek snatches late winner for West Ham in Serbia Joao Pedro penalty sends Brighton through to Europa League knockout stages Five bad weeks do not define a team – England’s Ben Duckett Daniel Levy ‘proud’ as report reveals Tottenham’s investment in local community

Celebrate Kentucky's upcoming sports betting launch with a $100 bonus from BetMGM! Find out how to claim this bonus in only a few minutes here.

Thiago Almada led the way for Atlanta United against Nashville SC.

No. 14 Utah has fared well against No. 18 Southern California since head coach Lincoln Riley took over the Trojans

Who's on the roster bubble for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023? Here are three potential cut candidates in training camp.The Cincinnati Bengals are no longer the new kids on the block. After two consecutive seasons of reaching the AFC Championship round, the team is hungrier than ever to win...

West Indies has stubbornly fought to avoid the follow-on against India on a snail-paced third day of the second test at Queen’s Park Oval

Rasmus Hojlund reveals whether reports of an alleged video call with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag are accurate. The 20-year-old is one of a number of strikers being targeted by the Red Devils as they look for added reinforcements.

The Boston Celtics paid top dollar to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. Now, injury concerns are already creeping in.The Boston Celtics underwent significant offseason changes, primarily with their decision to trade Marcus Smart (and stuff) for Kristaps Porzingis (and stuff). On the surface, that'...

Michigan State has hired coach Jonathan Smith away from No. 15 Oregon State

A season of 21 wins in 22 races proved that Red Bull were, and will probably remain, the dominant standard-setters in Formula One following Max Verstappen’s record-breaking victory in...

David Moyes expects Declan Rice to be “welcomed with open arms” when he returns to West Ham with Arsenal on Wednesday. England midfielder Rice will face his old club for the first time since joining the Gunners for £105million in the summer when the teams meet in the Carabao Cup. The 24-year-old made 245 appearances for West Ham and captained them to victory in the Europa Conference League, the club’s first silverware in 43 years. The Hammers fans are not exactly renowned for giving former players a warm welcome upon their return with another club, but boss Moyes believes Rice will get the recognition he deserves when he runs out at the London Stadium. “You’ve got to remember this is the man who lifted this club’s first European trophy in more than 50 years,” said Moyes. “He should be welcomed back with open arms. We’re all looking forward to seeing him again. “He was a brilliant member of the team. He led the team brilliantly well. He conducted himself impeccably as a West Ham captain and as a player. “The most important thing was that he gave 100 per cent in every game, even though we sort of knew he probably wasn’t going to stay at West Ham. So all credit to him. He conducted himself brilliantly well and for that alone he deserves to be cheered. “I’m really looking forward to seeing Dec again. I’ve not seen him since he left. I don’t know if I want him to play, but I hope he’s there.” Moyes is likely to include Lucas Paqueta and Edson Alvarez against Arsenal as both are suspended for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brentford after collecting five bookings. Former Arsenal players Lukasz Fabianski and Konstantinos Mavropanos will also be involved along with Emerson Palmieri, who is back from a ban. Read More Mauricio Pochettino wants Chelsea fans to ‘believe and show trust’ in his side Dawid Malan shifts blame away from England head coach Matthew Mott Captain Siya Kolisi says Springboks’ World Cup win was ‘for every South African’ Warren Gatland backs Andy Farrell to be next British and Irish Lions head coach England wing Jonny May announces his retirement from Test rugby Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova joins in with criticism of WTA Finals

D