Aston Villa won the Europa League after a stunning victory over Freiburg in the final in Istanbul, giving them their first European title in 44 years and the 1982 European Cup.
On the banks of the Bosphorus and at Besiktas Park in Istanbul, Aston Villa made history. With an imposing performance, the “villagers” prevailed 3-0 in the Europa League final over Freiburg and won the trophy of UEFA’s second-tier European club competition.
Unai Emery’s team, after four decades and winning the European Cup in 1982, won its second European trophy since its foundation, while also ensuring its return to the League Phase of the Champions League in the 2026/2027 season and of course its presence in the final of the European Super Cup, which is scheduled to be held on August 12 at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
The two goals by Tielemans (41′) and Buendia (45’+3) at crucial points in the first 45 minutes put the Birmingham team in a “leading position” early on. Freiburg was unable to react in the second half, as before the hour mark Rodgers made it 3-0 with a close-range shot from an assist by Buendia. Somehow, the Germans were left with the joy of participating in a European competition final, without managing to win the first trophy in their history.
Against them, they had a clearly better team and a coach who knows how to lead his teams to Europa League trophies like few others. He has done it four times in the past, three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal and tonight for the fifth time in his career with a third different team in his sixth final with four different clubs in the last 12 years.
Referee: François Letesier (France)
Scorers : Tielemans 41′, Buendia 45+3′, Rodgers 58′
Referee : Francois Letesier (France)
Yellows : Treu – Cass, Buendia, McGinn
FREIBURG (Julian Schuster): Atumbolu, Kubler (73′ Makebo), Matthias Günter, Linhart (62′ Rosenfelder), Treu, Eggestein, Hefler (61′ Heller), Beste (86′ Christian Günter), Manzabi, Griffo (73′ Serhand), Matanovic
ASTON VILLA (Unai Emery): Martinez, Cass, Konsa, Pau Torres (88′ Douglas Luiz), Dean (81′ Maatsen), Lindelof (66′ Onana), Tielemans (88′ Mings), McGinn, Rodgers, Buendia (81′ Sancho), Watkins
“King” of the institution is Unai Emery, who has won the trophy five times (3 with Sevilla and 1 with Villarreal)
Scorers : Tielemans 41′, Buendia 45+3′, Rodgers 58′
Referee : Francois Letesier (France)
Yellows : Treu – Cass, Buendia, McGinn
FREIBURG (Julian Schuster): Atumbolu, Kubler (73′ Makebo), Matthias Günter, Linhart (62′ Rosenfelder), Treu, Eggestein, Hefler (61′ Heller), Beste (86′ Christian Günter), Manzabi, Griffo (73′ Serhand), Matanovic
ASTON VILLA (Unai Emery): Martinez, Cass, Konsa, Pau Torres (88′ Douglas Luiz), Dean (81′ Maatsen), Lindelof (66′ Onana), Tielemans (88′ Mings), McGinn, Rodgers, Buendia (81′ Sancho), Watkins