Summary

  • Thousands of Aston Villa fans have filled Birmingham's streets for a jubilant celebration of the club's Europa League victory

  • The screens and barriers are already stowed away and remnants of confetti now cover Birmingham's Centenary Square

  • Earlier the team has lifted the Europa League trophy to cheers - Tyrone Mings has said the last 24 hours were "one hell of a party"

  • Fans have turned out with flags and flares as they celebrate the club's first major European trophy since 1982

  • "I'm just over the moon, it means everything", one fan tells the BBC, while another says "it was the best night of my life"

  1. Thank you for joining uspublished at 21:40 BST

    That brings to an end our coverage of Aston Villa's triumphant return to Birmingham as Europa League winners.

    After a parade through Birmingham this afternoon, covered - in detail - below, we've a good idea what the players are doing now. And we suspect fans - out in force this evening - may be doing the same.

    With that, there is just one more thing to say....

    Yippee aii-ayyyy, yippee aii-ohhhhh.

    UTV and goodnight.

  2. What a picturepublished at 21:35 BST

    Aston Villa have posted this picture, external of the team gathered on the steps outside Villa Park.

    The post had just one word: "Iconic."

    We can't help but agree.

    The Aston Villa team gathered on the steps outside Villa Park.Image source, Aston Villa
  3. In pictures: Moments fans will never forgetpublished at 21:01 BST

    Aston Villa fans celebrate in Birmingham as red flare smoke covers the area.
    Aston Villa fans celebrate in Birmingham during the parade.
    Aston Villa players on a bus celebrating with fans down below them.
  4. Absolute scenespublished at 20:36 BST

    Let's look back to about 24 hours ago....

    These were the scenes at the Aston Villa fan park as supporters celebrated three goals during the Europa League final - and then that full-time whistle.

  5. The day Villa fans branched outpublished at 20:18 BST

    Here's more colour from Brum's springtime streets as we recap today's events, bringing you images we're yet to share....

    As per our advice with portable loos a moment ago, we don't advocate climbing trees - for the safety of all limbs, those of people and the arboreal variety.

    Still, it was a special occasion, and he's wedged in nice and snug - hope he got some good pix. He's too big for a dad's shoulders!

    a villa fan climbs a tree for a better view
  6. Loo-k at this!published at 20:09 BST

    This was one of our favourite scenes from today...

    Fans clambered atop portable loos for a chance to spot their heroes (don't try this at home, kids).

    Let's just hope no one was inside at the time!

    Villa fans climb on the top of Portaloos to stand up and get a glimpse of the victory bus.
  7. Watch: Thousands party in Centenary Squarepublished at 19:49 BST

    John Bray
    BBC News

    Here's a video recap of today's scenes....

    Media caption,

    Villa parade: Thousands party in Centenary Square

  8. Watch: Ghanaians celebrate with own paradepublished at 19:35 BST

    More than 5,000km away from the Birmingham celebrations, a village in Ghana has been holding its own victory parade.

    Juaben, which has more than a thousand Villa fans, celebrated while chanting a Villa song.

    Media caption,

    Ghana Lions celebrate Aston Villa's Europa League win

    Remind yourself of the village's links to Villa here.

  9. Thanks for the memoriespublished at 19:22 BST

    Megan Jones
    in Birmingham

    Before we look back across the day, here's the view from the centre of Birmingham where things are somewhat quieter than earlier today.

    Centenary Square in Birmingham covered in rubbish and looking empty.
    Centenary Square in Birmingham covered in rubbish and looking empty.

    The big screen has already been taken down and barriers put away in Centenary Square.

    There are only a handful of fans left after others rushed off after the departing bus that whisked away the players.

    Those who remain are kicking the cans and bottles on their way out, no doubt recreating last night's goals in their mind.

    It’s been a great atmosphere all day, with fans of all ages coming to celebrate and tearing up at this historic achievement.

  10. In pictures: Players having their best daypublished at 19:09 BST

    Ollie WatkinsImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Fans press the flesh with Ollie Watkins

    Players with the trophy on the busImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    We'll have what they're having....

    Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa poses for a photo with the Europa League TrophyImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Goal scorer Tielemans

    Matty Cash, Morgan Rogers and Tammy Abraham of Aston Villa celebrate on the team bus during the Aston Villa trophy paradeImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Villa tops on the top deck

  11. Fans celebrate as Villa lift trophypublished at 19:06 BST

    Well, things have been winding down - at least in terms of the official show and tell (showing the trophy, telling that "we're by far the greatest team, the world has ever seen").

    Unofficially, though, the fans are going to continue well into the evening, on licensed premises, we imagine, rather than the streets we've been showing you all afternoon.

    But we're not done.... There are plenty more tales to bring you, and pics you're yet to see. Speaking of which, here's that trophy lift in glorious claret and blue technicolour....

    Villa players on a bus lift the trophy in front of fans.Image source, PA Media
    Villa fans packed into a square during the parade.Image source, PA Media
    Fans celebrate in Birmingham during the Aston Villa parade.Image source, PA
  12. Watch: On the buses - from Villa Park to Centenary Squarepublished at 18:48 BST

    A few hours is a long time in football.... Here's a reminder of what's gone on in the last few....

    You just can't beat a Brummie bus....

    Media caption,

    Villa parade: From Villa Park to Centenary Square

  13. In pictures: Thousands welcome back triumphant Villapublished at 18:42 BST

    Villa BusImage source, Getty Images
    Centenary SquareImage source, PA Media
    Centenary SquareImage source, PA Media
  14. 'One hell of a party'published at 18:37 BST

    Tyrone Mings speaks into a microphone during the Aston Villa parade.

    Tyrone Mings addressed the crowd after the trophy lift, telling the supporters the team have had “one hell of a party” over the last 24 hours.

    “We’ve done the professional thing - spoken about goals, next season and thank yous - but we celebrated very hard,” he said.

    “I’m sure you guys have too… I just want to say thank you so much. What a fan base, what a set of players.

    “We are so grateful for all of you showing up today.”

  15. 'You've been through so much pain'published at 18:35 BST

    John McGinn is next on the microphone and thanks the crowd for their support.

    "You've been through so much pain, so much disappointment, but this group of players have provided so much satisfaction [in] the last couple of years" he says.

    "We've got a decent manager and we're going to enjoy tonight, but let's keep going next season, you never know what can happen."

    With the boss right behind the Scotland international in this pic, we're sure "decent" was tongue in cheek. It's a long way down from the top deck, John!

    John McGinnImage source, PA Media
  16. 'Our heart is your heart'published at 18:27 BST

    "We are delighted to be here, with you sharing this trophy," Unai Emery tells the delighted crowd.

    "And of course we are so, so proud of you," he adds.

    "This moment is really fantastic, our heart is your heart, your heart is our heart.

    "Up the Villa."

    .... Oh boy, we may need a few moments here in the comms box.... We're at a funny age.

    BusImage source, Getty Images
  17. Confetti showers square as trophy liftedpublished at 18:25 BST

    Navtej Johal
    Midlands correspondent

    Confetti was seen showering over Centenary Square as the players lifted the trophy before Unai Emery spoke to the crowd.

    Celebrations on Centenary Square in Birmingham during the Europa League cup winners' parade.
  18. Fans cheer as Villa lift Europa League trophypublished at 18:15 BST

    The Aston Villa players have lifted the Europa League cup in front of fans as the bus arrived at Centenary Square to roars, cheers and applause.

    Many supporters had been waiting for this moment for hours - but in truth, it's been decades coming.

    Villa
  19. Centenary Square 'at capacity'published at 18:11 BST

    Some estimates say there are more than 23,000 fans waiting at Centenary Square.

    The city council says it is "at capacity".

    squareImage source, PA Media
  20. The double decker winnerspublished at 18:04 BST

    More scenes from Broad Street...

    The bus is heading down Broad Street, on its way to Centenary Square, which is packed with expectant fans.

    BusImage source, Getty Images