A generation of Aston Villa fans raised on tales of Rotterdam 1982 now have a night of European glory to call their own.
Born less than a month after Peter Withe’s goal sunk Bayern Munich in the European Cup Final, Prince William will never forget being in the stands to cheer Villa to their first major trophy since Brian Little’s team won the League Cup in 1996. Neither will more than 10,000 Villa supporters inside this spectacular arena, nor countless others around the world. The Prince of Wales celebrated his side’s goals as raucously as anyone.
Villa are back. Outstanding strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendia inside seven minutes at the end of the first half were enough to see off Freiburg and seal coach Unai Emery’s fifth Europa League title. Morgan Rogers made sure just before the hour mark.
Yet this display was about much more than the goals. Emery demands his team are ‘mature’ and ‘responsible’ and they showed those qualities in spades here.
We are constantly told that Villa are not part of the so-called ‘Big Six’ but how many of that group would swap places with them now? Instead of ‘Big Six’ perhaps we should now say ‘Big Seven’ – provided Tottenham can avoid relegation, that is.
Despite ongoing financial restrictions from English and European governing bodies, Emery and his players have competed at the top end of the Premier League for the last three seasons and have gone deep in Europe, including giving eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain a huge fright in last season’s Champions League quarter-final. They will be in the Champions League again next term. Most importantly of all, they now have a major prize to show for their stunning progress.
Aston Villa crushed Freiburg 3-0 to win the Europa League and end a 30-year trophy drought
The Aston Villa squad landed the major honour their progress on the pitch has warranted
Prince William was among the Aston Villa supporters celebrating their European triumph
Six of the starting XI here were involved in Emery’s first game as Villa boss, a 3-1 win over Manchester United in November 2022. If this is to be the last dance for this group, what memories they will have created.
Yet the night briefly threatened to take a wrong turn for Villa. They had a scare in the warm-up when Emiliano Martinez appeared to hurt his right hand and was wincing as he flexed it. Marco Bizot looked to be preparing to play. Martinez has withdrawn before kick-off three times already this season but this time he was able to play a full part.
Martinez was given another fright in the first minute when Igor Matanovic’s header drifted just wide and at the other end, Morgan Rogers’ fierce strike brought a fine stop from Noah Atubolu.
Those early chances hinted at a classic but the match then settled into a more cautious pattern. Rogers’ shot wide from the edge of the box and Buendia was booked for an elbow on Niklas Beste. From Beste’s free-kick, Victor Lindelof’s weak header fell to Nicolas Hofler, who shot wide from 15 yards.
Then Matty Cash became the second Villa player booked for a rash tackle, this time on Vincenzo Grifo. Though they were not in danger, Villa were a little edgy and worry lines appeared on Emery’s brow.
Johan Manzambi was the Germans’ most dangerous player and after robbing Tielemans, his effort from distance was saved by Martinez. Moments later Manzambi overhit his cross after dancing past Lindelof and reaching the byline.
Youri Tielemans opened the scoring with a stunning volley following a well worked corner
Emi Buendia curled in a stunning second from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time
Morgan Rogers put the final beyond doubt by turning in a cross from close range
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has now won the Europa League a record five times as a coach
Villa set piece coach Austin MacPhee is hugely respected by the players and in the 42nd minute we saw why. Lucas Digne took a short corner to Rogers, who had spotted Tielemans moving into space on the right of the box. The lofted pass was superb and the finish even better, a crisp volley that Atubolu had no chance of stopping. Martinez charged from his goal to celebrate with MacPhee.
Emery’s team sensed Freiburg were wilting and they moved for the kill. John McGinn’s shot was blocked after a swift break involving Martinez, Tielemans and Buendia. Making a nuisance of himself in the box, Ezri Konsa twice came close.
It would be hard to top a goal as good as Tielemans’ across a season, let alone in the same game – but Buendia managed it. The Argentine was left in far too much space when he collected McGinn’s pass and how he punished Freiburg, picking out the top corner from 20 yards. To think Villa were sounded out about moving him to Birmingham last summer. Another triumph for Emery’s coaching and Buendia thoroughly deserved the standing ovation he received from Villa fans when he was substituted late on. The former Norwich man must surely have a chance of forcing his way into the Argentina squad as they seek to defend the World Cup next month.
Villa kept Freiburg at arm’s length during the opening exchanges of the second half and soon enough they struck again. The outstanding Buendia found space on the left and Rogers stole a march on his marker to turn in the low cross at the near post.
Amadou Onana, who has been missing since the first leg of the semi-final against Nottingham Forest due to injury, was brought on for Lindelof midway through the second half and promptly headed against the outside of a post. Moments earlier Ollie Watkins, desperate to add his name to the scoresheet, decided not to square to the unmarked Rogers or Buendia and saw his shot blocked. Buendia also somehow managed to miss from three yards after another delightful combination between Tielemans and McGinn. Not that anybody will hold it against him.
