Unai Emery has done it again. The Spanish coach added another chapter to his remarkable Europa League legacy on Wednesday night, guiding Aston Villa to their first major European triumph in 44 years.

Heading into the final against Freiburg, the Premier League side were widely viewed as favourites. The German club, appearing in the biggest European match in their history, tried to compete with an opponent that ultimately proved superior in both quality and experience. Two goals before half-time effectively settled the contest and denied Istanbul the upset some neutrals had hoped for.

Villa opened the scoring in the 41st minute following a brilliantly worked set-piece routine. A clipped delivery into the penalty area found Youri Tielemans, who struck a superb first-time finish into the far bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Freiburg switched off defensively and paid the price. Emiliano Buendía was left unmarked on the edge of the area, drifted inside the area and curled a magnificent strike into the top corner for 2-0.

The second half highlighted the tactical discipline of Emery’s side. Aston Villa deliberately surrendered possession, inviting Freiburg to dictate the game. The Bundesliga side, far more comfortable playing reactively, looked uncomfortable in possession.

Villa, meanwhile, remained devastating on the counter-attack. In the 59th minute, Buendía followed up his stunning goal with an equally impressive assist. Breaking down the left flank, the Argentine delivered a perfect low cross into the six-yard box, where Morgan Rogers arrived ahead of his marker to make it 3-0 and remove any remaining doubt about the outcome.

Aston Villa are the new Europa League champions and become the fourth Premier League side to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. Freiburg will still have European football to look forward to next season, with the German side set to feature in the Conference League.

2025-26, Europa League

Freiburg - Aston Villa 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: Tielemans, 41 (0:1); Buendia, 45 (0:2); Rogers M., 59 (0:3)

Freiburg: Atubolu; Treu; Lienhart (Rosenfelder Max, 61); Kübler (Makengo J., 73); Beste (Günter, 86); Manzambi; Höfler (Höler, 61); Ginter; Grifo (Scherhant, 73); Eggestein М.; Matanovic
Substitution: Rosenfelder Max (from 61); Höler (from 61); Makengo J. (from 73); Scherhant (from 73); Günter (from 86)
Bench: Müller Fl.; Huth J.; Ogbus; Jung A.; Osterhage; Irié; Philipp M.
Yellow Cards: Treu 5

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Lindelöf (Onana A., 66); Konsa; Digne (Maatsen I., 81); Torres Pau (Mings, 88); Cash; McGinn J.; Tielemans (Douglas Luiz, 88); Watkins; Buendia (Sancho, 81); Rogers M.
Substitution: Onana A. (from 66); Maatsen I. (from 81); Sancho (from 81); Mings (from 88); Douglas Luiz (from 88)
Bench: Bizot; Wright J.; Bogarde L.; Elliott H.; Andrés García; Bailey; Abraham T.
Yellow Cards: Buendia 16; Cash 21; McGinn J. 84