Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, and Morgan Rogers all scored to secure a convincing victory for Aston Villa against Freiburg, giving the team its first European trophy in 44 years and its first UEFA Europa League championship.
Villa is only the sixth team from England and the 31st overall to win the UEFA Cup/Europa League. Along with Atalanta in 2023/24 and Emery’s Villarreal in 2020/21, they are only the third new champion in the last six seasons.
With three different teams, Emery has become the first coach to ever win this competition. All of their names include the word ‘villa’: Sevilla (three times), Villarreal, and Villa.
As they entered this showpiece, Freiburg were hoping to win their first significant trophy in the club’s history, while Villa were looking for their first silverware in thirty years.
The game took a while to settle down in front of a lively audience at the magnificent Beşiktaş Park, with both teams showing early signs of anxiety, which was perhaps not unexpected given the high stakes.
Youri Tielemans, Villa’s midfield maestro, produced a moment of magic that brought the game to life following a string of missed opportunities for both sides.
The Belgian latched onto a pinpoint cross from Morgan Rogers from a short corner after 42 minutes, blasting a fantastic volley past goalie Noah Atubolu and putting the English team in front.
Freiburg was shaken, and things only grew worse right before the halftime break. Although Emiliano Buendía appeared to be in little risk when he received the ball from just outside the box, the Argentine striker switched the ball onto his left foot and scored a beautiful shot into the far corner to extend the lead with the last kick of the half.
Buendía worked his magic once more for Villa in the second period, jinking his way down the left wing before crossing for Rogers to apply a simple finish at the near post just before the hour. Buendía’s confidence in Villa was evident throughout the second period.
When John McGinn’s corner was headed against the post by Amadou Onana, it was only millimeters away from being four for Unai Emery’s team, and the play concluded with Villa taking three.
Although Freiburg gave it their best, they were ultimately unable to pull it off. When they compete in the Conference League play-offs the following season, they will be looking to make a comeback on the European scene.