Tielemans starts party as Aston Villa outclass Freiburg to claim Europa League glory

Where would you like your statue, Mr Emery? Even before this emphatic Europa League triumph, Aston Villa supporters could hardly have held their manager in greater esteem. But now Emery, in winning the competition for a record fifth time, has delivered the thing he always wanted, a trophy to show for his transformative body of work.

Those who were not around for Rotterdam in 1982 will always cherish Istanbul in 2026. Thomas Tuchel had it right a few years ago when he suggested Uefa might as well rename the Europa League the Unai Emery trophy.

Was there a better image on an unforgettable night than the sight of Emiliano Martínez giving his manager a piggyback as Villa got the celebrations under way? Villa’s squad formed a guard of honour for Freiburg, game but ultimately overpowered opponents, and then set about giving Emery the bumps as he walked on to the podium erected on the pitch. John McGinn, Villa’s superb captain, was the last to collect his medal from Uefa’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, before lifting the handleless trophy. Before long McGinn was darting towards the sea of delirious Villa fans crooning to We Are the Champions, showcasing the prize in all its glory, the engraving still raw.

Villa’s players took it in turns to hoist the trophy overhead. So, too, did Villa’s co-owners, Nassef Sawiris, wearing a claret and blue scarf, and Wes Edens. Up in the VIP seats the Prince of Wales, an avid Villa supporter who admits to perusing Villa forums under a pseudonym, wanted to capture the moment just like everybody else, filming the trophy lift on his iPhone. “Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club,” William posted on social media.

Just like 1982, it was Villa in white against German opponents in red; this time Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers the scorers. All three goals were sparkling, Tielemans and Buendía scoring beauties to put Villa in the box seat within seven minutes of each other at the end of the first half, before Rogers got in on the act approaching the hour. It felt like a procession once Buendía curled a left-foot peach into the top corner with the final kick of the first half and, as a contest, it was a non-event from the moment Rogers’s smart movement at the front post was rewarded. Mind you, try telling that to the Villa faithful who came in their numbers.

Emiliano Martínez carries Unai Emery on his shoulders after the final whistle. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA

Villa’s official allocation was 10,758 but about double that figure travelled. There was a Brummie takeover on Taksim Square, the supporters determined to savour a first continental final for 44 years. For Freiburg, this comfortably represented the biggest occasion in their 121-year history and they were always planning to celebrate a groundbreaking season on their return to south-west Germany.

While a generation of Villa supporters arrived in Turkey desperate to see their team lift their first silverware since the League Cup in 1996, Freiburg arrived without a single trophy in their cabinet. Villa, guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season, entered as heavy favourites and soon assumed control.

Supporters proudly sang of 1982 and nine of that team were present. One of those, Nigel Spink, came on after nine minutes when Jimmy Rimmer was forced off through injury and there was a whiff of deja vu here. Martínez required treatment in the warm-up, with the goalkeeper coach, Javi García, taping his hand..

Martínez later revealed that he had broken his finger, but concerns he would be unable to play were short-lived. The keeper charged out before kick-off, fist pumping with his right hand towards the Villa fans behind the goal. Any wider nerves had evaporated by the interval.

Tielemans gave Villa a leg up on 41 minutes with a pure volley from Rogers’s expertly weighted cross from a short-corner routine. The ball seemed to drop in slow motion but Tielemans read it all the way, smashing it home with his laces.

Then Buendía controlled McGinn’s pass on the edge of the box with his right foot and, with his next touch, sent a stunning left-foot shot into the top corner. It was the final kick of the half and it felt like the goal that killed their opponents.

Youri Tielemans volleys Aston Villa in front towards the end of the first half. Photograph: Khalil Hamra/AP

Until the first goal, Villa had been the better team but there were a couple of anxious moments, none more so than Matty Cash’s high challenge on Vincenzo Grifo. The defender got away with a booking but the replays showed that after taking the ball he followed through on the midfielder’s shin with his studs. Johan Manzambi was lively and Nicolas Höfler had the game’s first real chance, dragging wide after Pau Torres headed clear a free-kick.

Villa extended their lead approaching the hour. Lucas Digne released Buendía down the left and the midfielder faced up Lukas Kübler then sent a teasing cross towards the front post. Rogers expertly traded places with Ollie Watkins to squeeze the ball in.

Amadou Onana, introduced midway through the second half, headed against a post and Buendía rattled the side netting when his second and a Villa fourth felt inevitable. Emery, the author of this story, bounced on the touchline. For the fans here, in Birmingham and beyond, the wait is over, the party just getting started.