Aston Villa are Europa League champions after a commanding 3-0 win over Freiburg in the final in Istanbul. Goals by Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers helped the English side win their first European trophy since 1982.
ALSO READ: FINALLY! Arsenal are 2025/26 Premier League champions
Tielemans opened the scoring with a brilliant volley from Rogers’ cross in the 41st minute. Buendia followed it up with a stunning bending effort from the edge of the box just before half-time. Then Rogers slid in a Buendia cross at the near post on 58 minutes to help Unai Emery’s men cruise to victory and hand the Spanish tactician his fifth trophy.
It was a complete Villa dominance which could have produced more goals. Amadou Onana headed John McGinn’s corner against the back post, while clipped the ball into the side-netting from Tielemans’ perfect pass. However, three goals were enough for Villa to own the trophy, sparking wild celebrations among supporters in Instanbul.
“Sometimes you have ups and downs but we pulled through in the end, we pushed on, we got Champions League football. It’s so special. All of these fans – it’s indescribable,” Villa’s Ollie Watkins told TNT Sports after the game.
Freiburg was completely blown away in this final, and even a close-range header by the Bundesliga side’s Johan Manzambi was stopped by Emi Martinez before the offside flag was raised.
Villa already qualified for the Champions League after finishing in the top five of the Premier League . With the Europa League title, Emery’s men kept alive the Premier League’s hopes of a sixth Champions League spot next season.
