Aston Villa won the UEFA Europa League for the first time, defeating SC Freiburg 3-0 in the final at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20 under manager Unai Emery.
Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers scored as Villa dominated the Bundesliga side. Buendia was named man of the match after a standout two-goal performance in the first half.
The victory gave Villa their first European trophy in 44 years since the 1982 European Cup and marked Emery’s record-extending fifth Europa League title as a manager. He previously won the competition with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Emery transformed Villa since arriving in November 2022 when the club sat near the relegation zone. Freiburg reached their first European final but could not match Villa’s clinical display in Istanbul.
Villa finished in the Premier League top five during 2025-26, qualifying for Europe through league position in addition to the Europa League trophy. Emery previously won three Europa League titles in a row with Sevilla between 2014 and 2016 before succeeding at Villarreal in 2021.
Thousands of Villa supporters traveled to Istanbul for the final, filling Besiktas Park as Emery joined Carlo Ancelotti as managers with five major European trophies.
Villa’s Europa League triumph also secures European football regardless of Sunday’s final Premier League placement.
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Sources:
https://www.outlookindia.com/sports