‘King’ Emery hailed as Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 in Europa League

Villa dominated Freiburg in the final in Istanbul to win their first trophy since 1996 and European title since 1982. Aston Villa ended their 30-year trophy drought in style as spectacular goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia inspired a 3-0 win against Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul. Unai Emery’s side took the lead late in the first half through Tielemans’ thunderous volley on Wednesday, before Buendia increased Villa’s advantage with a sublime curler seconds from the half-time whistle. Morgan Rogers’ second-half goal finished off the outclassed Germans, sealing Villa’s first silverware since the 1996 League Cup and their first major European prize for 44 years. That famous European Cup final upset of Bayern Munich in 1982, secured by Peter Withe’s goal in Rotterdam, has stood as the most iconic moment in Villa’s 152-year history, but Villa’s current players were determined to follow in the footsteps of the club’s golden generation. Villa’s long-awaited continental conquest was the latest Europa League masterclass for Emery, who has now won the tournament five times after victories with Sevilla in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and Villarreal in 2021. ‘Always grateful for Europe’ Emery said this week that he did not feel like the “king” of the Europa League, but his team’s coronation received the royal seal of approval from Villa fan Prince William, who was celebrating with about 20,000 ecstatic supporters at Besiktas Stadium. Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, another famous Villa fan, joined the party, sending a good luck message to the team before kickoff. It has been a memorable finish to the campaign for Villa, who sealed qualification for next season’s Champions League with a win against Liverpool last week. Villa’s success over the last six days would have been impossible to imagine when they started the season with a run of six matches without a win, scoring just twice in that dismal streak. Their maiden win this season came in the Europa League against Bologna, the first of 13 victories in 15 games in the competition that culminated in their ruthless demolition of first-time European finalists Freiburg. Despite losing in the UEFA Conference League semifinals in 2024, and the Champions League quarterfinals and FA Cup semifinals last year, Emery was convinced Villa would eventually cast off their “nearly men” tag. The 54-year-old Spaniard’s unshakeable faith has been rewarded. The Europa League triumph underlined Villa’s impressive renaissance since Emery took charge in October 2022, with the club languishing just three points above the relegation zone. Emery called on his players and the club’s hierarchy to match his desire to keep Villa in contention for silverware. “I am myself ambitious and of course I need support. The owners, everyone that works in the club. Development is everything,” he said. “The players are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambition, being clear and realistic. As a team, ambitious and improving. This is our next step. “We are getting stronger, but we are trying to be demanding. Next year we will play in the Champions League, and the Premier League is the most difficult in the world. This is the challenge. “It’s fantastic. Europe gave us a lot. For myself as well. I’m always very grateful for Europe. For every competition but especially the Europa League,” the Spaniard said. Unforgettable night Relegated to the second tier in 1987 and 2016, and beaten in their previous four domestic finals before arriving in Istanbul, Villa have endured some torrid times since winning the European Cup. Those miserable memories were banished forever on an unforgettable night on the banks of the Bosphorus. Villa dominated from the start and should have been ahead in the opening moments when Noah Atubolu denied Rogers. Tielemans shattered Freiburg’s resistance with his moment of magic in the 41st minute. Rogers was the catalyst in a clever short corner routine, lofting a pinpoint cross towards Tielemans, who timed his run perfectly to slam a brilliant volley past Atubolu from just inside the area. It was only Tielemans’ second goal this season and his first since December. Even the Belgian midfielder’s rocket had to take a back seat to Buendia’s gem. Setting his sights on the edge of the area after Freiburg failed to close him down, Buendia curled a majestic finish into the far corner. Rogers put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute, sliding to convert Buendia’s cross as a Villa party three decades in the making went into full swing.