Aston Villa vs Freiburg LIVE: Villa followers together with Prince William have fun first European trophy for 44 years
Aston Villa triumphed in the Europa League final to win their first piece of European silverware in 44 years as they swept Freiburg aside 3-0 in Istanbul.
The Premier League team never looked in danger of an upset and took control of the match from the first whistle with Morgan Rogers forcing an early save. Unai Emery’s men where made to wait for the opening goal but it was worth it: Youri Tielemans arrived on the right side of the area to volley home and send the Villa fans wild. Emiliano Buendia then added a second with a delightful curling effort as Villa doubled their lead before Rogers tapped home at the near post to guarantee the win.
The victory is Emery’s fifth triumph in the Europa League, and first piece of silverware with Villa. It is a first major trophy for 30 years for the Midlands club – with Prince William among their fans celebrating wildly in Istanbul.
Follow the reaction from Aston Villa’s Europa League victory:
How many English teams will play in next season’s Champions League after Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph?
The Premier League is guaranteed to have five teams in next season’s Champions League due to being one of the top two European leagues with the highest Uefa coefficient.
However, there could now be six English teams in next season’s competition following Aston Villa’s win over Freiburg in the Europa League final. If Villa finish fifth in the Premier League, this will mean that sixth place also qualifies for the Champions League.
Bournemouth currently occupy sixth place in the table, and they are three points clear of Brighton, albeit with an inferior goal difference.
However, if Villa finish fourth, only the top five will qualify for the Champions League, with sixth and seventh settling for Europa League and eighth place going into the Conference League.
Emery matches Ancelotti
Unai Emery is now a five-time Europa League winner – the undisputed king of Europe’s second-tier competition.
He’s the second manager to win a major European competition five times after quintuple Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti.
Aston Villa end decades long wait for major trophy with Europa League victory
After falling short in the Conference League semi-finals and Champions League last-eight over recent times, Unai Emery brought European success back to Villa Park at the third time of asking.
The Prince of Wales was in attendance to witness Villa’s first European final since he was born, and watched his beloved side win their first silverware since the League Cup in 1996.
WATCH:Prince William erupts in celebration as Aston Villa score during Europa League final
Prince William was happy to let any sense of royal decorum go out the window as he celebrated one of the goals from his beloved Aston Villa
The huge problem for Uefa with English domination of Europe
As tends to be the case with Unai Emery in the Europa League, his team are coming into form at exactly the right time. An often laborious 2026 for Aston Villa has suddenly enjoyed release. Working on limited resources relative to the top of the Premier League, Emery has got it close to spot on. Villa are suddenly flying just before their biggest game in 44 years.
How many English teams will play in next season’s Champions League?
The Premier League is guaranteed to have five teams in next season’s Champions League due to being one of the top two European leagues with the highest Uefa coefficient.
However, there could now be six English teams in next season’s competition following Aston Villa’s win over Freiburg in the Europa League final.
‘Hopefully Prince William is paying for the free bar’
John McGinn also joked about Prince William being in attendance and celebrating Aston Villa’s victory.
“Hopefully Prince William is paying for the free bar. He’s a classy man he was in dressing room before the game,” McGinn said.
“He’s a massive villa fan, he was never going to miss it. He’s just a normal guy, it’s great to have his support.
“Hopefully he can have a couple of drinks with us and maybe get his credit card out.”
No nerves for McGinn
More from John McGinn who spoke about his feelings before the game.
“I wasn’t nervous. I was for the semi final,” he said.
“I had full confidence in our ability. We’ve built so much and this group of players deserve it.
“The supporters do. In the Championship every away end was full to the rafters. If we were relegated it’d be the same.”
Prince William wildly celebrates from stands as Aston Villa cruise to Europa League glory
Hargreaves praises McGinn
The TNT Sports pundit said: “John McGinn’s statue might be next to Emery’s
“The way he’s developed since he’s been there has been nothing short of remarkable.
“He’s so reliable, so consistent. He pops up with big goals. He’s so humble.
“He’s what you want your captain to be.”
