Aston Villa Crowned Europa League Champions After 30 Year Trophy Drought

Aston Villa have broken their 30-year trophy drought after dominating Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League Final.

Two late first-half stunners from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia gave Villa a 2-0 lead at half-time before Morgan Rogers’ finish sealed their second major European title 44 years after defeating Bayern Munich in 1982.

Nine members of that famous squad were in attendance to watch John McGinn lift the trophy in front of the Villa supporters at Besiktas Park.

Emery replaced Steven Gerrard in November 2022, with Villa three points above the relegation zone, and has transformed them into top-five contenders and, now, European champions.

The side were cheered on by Villa supporter and future king, Prince William, who was seen hugging former Villa right-back Ahmed Elmohamady.

Noah Atubolu kept the scores level early on, keeping Morgan Rogers’ effort out before Freiburg striker Nicolas Hofler, in his final career game, fired narrowly wide for the German side.

Tielemans, who has a history of scoring big goals in cup finals, brilliantly gave Villa the lead after volleying in a superbly worked set-piece in the 40th minute.

Buendia added a stunning second in first-half stoppage time, curling beyond Atubolu from 18 yards to leave Bundesliga side Freiburg with a mountain to climb.

Rogers added a third just before the hour, poking in Buendia’s near-post cross, to calm the nerves of the Villa fans who knew they were almost there.

Amadou Onana hit the post, and Buendia should have netted a fourth but, by then, Villa had already sealed victory.

It is a watershed moment for the club after ending a three-decade-long wait for a trophy.

Unai Emery has written his name into Aston Villa folklore; the Spaniard has taken the club to heights many supporters didn’t think were possible.

Just ten years ago, the Villans were relegated to the Championship; now they find themselves champions of the continent.

Emery said:”All the times I am successful in this competition I needed good players. Now I am so thankful for the players, they are following our ambitions.

“They are protagonists on the field. This is the reason I am not feeling the king in this competition. I am feeling really thankful – we are the kings together.

“After 1982 the club won the European Cup, it was something they were missing – the supporters – a trophy. Achieving this one is making us so, so happy but we are not going to stop.”

Villa captain John McGinn, said: “I can’t believe it to be honest. What we’ve been through as a club, this club is close to being in a right bad way seven years ago. When V Sports bought the club over, their one remit was to get it back to the Premier League and back to the levels of before.

“Tonight was everything we built coming together. The pride I felt with 10 minutes to go knowing we were about to be champions – I can’t describe it.”