Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa (Tielemans 41’, Buendia 45+3’, Rogers 58’)
BESIKTAS PARK — How is it that one night can make 30 years of waiting feel instantly worthwhile? Only football can do this, because only football delivers the gut-wrenching lows that make the highs so much sweeter.
Aston Villa, who have lost four Wembley finals since 2000, who were a Championship side in 2019 and escaped relegation on the final day a year later, are Europa League winners in 2026.
With Prince William watching on, the 3-0 victory over Freiburg crowns Unai Emery an all-time Villa great, and in winning this competition a record-extending fifth time, the Spaniard has the silverware his tireless efforts to transform this cub deserve.
And it was sealed in royal fashion. Wondergoals from free transfer Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia, who almost left last summer, put Villa in dreamland before Morgan Rogers sealed it, paving the way for future Villa Park statue John McGinn to become the first Villa captain to lift a major trophy since Andy Townsend in 1996.
