Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa: Unai Emery leads Villa to Europa League final glory in Istanbul
Report as stunning first-half goals by Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia are followed by a Morgan Rogers finish to help Aston Villa win the Europa League; Unai Emery claims the trophy for a fifth time as a manager; Villa triumph 44 years on from their European Cup win in 1982
Wednesday 20 May 2026 23:07, UK
Aston Villa are Europa League champions after thrashing Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Istanbul.
The king of the competition Unai Emery has his hands on the trophy for a fifth time and this triumph was celebrated wildly by Villa fans - both in the Besiktas Stadium and back at home.
Those supporters had waited 44 years to see their side in another European final and the beautiful, brilliant first-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia were befitting of the occasion.
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Tielemans' volley from Morgan Rogers' cross into the box after a short corner was a stunner, arrowed in with textbook technique. Buendia's bending effort from the edge of the box just moments later was sweet, too, curling into the top corner.
Freiburg didn't know what had hit them. There had barely been a chance in the preceding 41 minutes. When Morgan Rogers slid in a Buendia cross at the near post on 58 minutes it was all but over. A masterclass from Villa and Emery. The Bundesliga side blown away.
There should have been more goals. Amadou Onana headed John McGinn's corner against the back post and then Buendia clipped the ball into the side-netting when Tielemans' perfect pass played him in.
But Villa's dominance was never in doubt after they hit the front. Captain John McGinn ran the midfield and Freiburg rarely threatened. Even when Johan Manzambi did meet a close-range header, Emi Martinez matched it with a stunning stop before the offside flag went up.
What a performance and what a season for Aston Villa. A European trophy to go with a guaranteed top-five finish in the Premier League which has already secured Champions League football for next year.
Emery is crowned again in the competition he has mastered - and his meticulous transformation of Aston Villa over the past three-and-a-half years gloriously demonstrated on the big stage.
Now his Villans join the legends of the 1982 European Cup in the club's history books.
Emery: It's really something fantastic
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery to TNT Sports:
"It's really something fantastic.
"We played in a very serious way this year. So, so focused. I was telling them, 'we need desire in this competition and to show on the pitch that you are the protagonist'. And they did it.
"This final is the confirmation of how we are progressing."
McGinn: The proudest night of my career
Aston Villa captain John McGinn to TNT Sports:
"I can't believe it. This club was close to being in a right bad way seven years ago. Nassef Sawiris bought the club and had one remit: to get the club back to the Premier League and then try to compete at the levels it had before.
"Tonight was everything we have built coming together.
"The pride I felt at 3-0 with 10 minutes to go, thinking 'we're European champions' is something I can't even describe.
"It's the proudest night of my career so far. I'm going to try to enjoy it. I like to party sometimes. I'll try to take it easy and soak it all in.
"I watched my mates win trophies - Andy Robertson, Jack Grealish - so it's my turn tonight. Maybe not the big one they've won but to me it's so, so special. I'll treasure every minute."
Rogers: We'll go down in history
Morgan Rogers speaking to TNT Sports:
"It's a great moment for the club. We'll go down in history.
"The manager has been banging on about me getting in the box and getting easier goals, so I'm happy to get a toe on that one.
"I'm tired but not that tired. It's all worth it."
Watkins: This is what you dream of
Ollie Watkins speaking to TNT Sports:
"To perform like that was unbelievable. We controlled the game and punished them.
"I've watched many finals and set-pieces can be so crucial. Up until the goal it was very cagey, but we worked an unbelievable set-piece, fair play to [set-piece coach] Austin MacPhee.
"This is what you dream of. Unai was really calm in the build-up - sometimes he's a bit anxious in the league. That set the tone."
What next for Aston Villa?
Aston Villa take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the Premier League season, live on Sky Sports.
