1. Goodbyepublished at 15:30 BST

    What a day.

    A day full of celebration for many - but will more follow tomorrow?

    We'll have full coverage of this evening's Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg on BBC Radio 5 Live.

    Alternatively, we've got a team readied to bring you full live text coverage of the game and they'll be back with you shortly.

    For now though, we'll leave you with some of the best bits from today:

    Enjoy the rest of your evening and we'll see you tomorrow.

  2. Postpublished at 15:30 BST

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Maybe, Adrian, Sheryl needs a bar open long enough for her intended celebrations if Aston Villa win? Declan Rice style...

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:27 BST

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    Re Sheryl at 1510; you're 4 hours behind the UK in Bermuda, so KO for you is 16:00 local time, so normal finish will be 17:50 local - perfect for beer, cocktails and nuts.

    Adrian, currently on a plane from Bournemouth to Malaga

  4. Who can still qualify for Champions League?published at 15:26 BST

    Champions League trophyImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Aston Villa have already secured their passage to 2026-27 Champions League.

    Premier League claimed a fifth spot in Europe's premier club competition through Uefa's European Performance Spots (EPS) and Liverpool currently sit fifth on 59 points.

    However, the Reds, who Villa beat to book their place in the Champions League on Friday, are not yet mathematically guaranteed a place in the competition.

    The Cherries guaranteed a top-eight finish with their draw against Manchester City but they could overtake Liverpool on the final day, should the Reds lose to Brentford.

    Even if Bournemouth miss out on fifth, finishing sixth might be enough to secure Champions League football.

    That is because if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth in the Premier League, England will have six teams in the Champions League.

    For that to happen, Villa would need to lose at Man City on the final day. A Liverpool victory at Brentford would then move the Reds above them.

    Brighton - who face Manchester United - are still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League in sixth, while Chelsea retain an outside chance.

    Brentford could still finish in sixth but the only way this could happen is by beating Liverpool, which would mean Villa remain fourth and the extra Champions League route not being open.

  5. Postpublished at 15:24 BST

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    We told you before about the Bournemouth fans who will be giving Aston Villa their full backing tonight.

    Well here's why they will be hoping Unai Emery works his magic again...

  6. 'I think he's a magician'published at 15:21 BST

    Freiburg v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter in Istanbul

    Unai EmeryImage source, Getty Images

    One man who has made the trip to Istanbul, and has been down this road many times before, is Aston Villa manager Unai Emery.

    Former Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner has labelled the Spaniard as a "magician".

    The Villa boss took over when the club was three points above the relegation zone in November 2022 before taking them into Europe by the end of the season.

    He has guided Villa to the Champions League twice, having sealed a second qualification last week after beating Liverpool, and is on the brink of ending the club's 30-year trophy drought in Istanbul.

    "He's been incredible as a manager. The team was struggling under his predecessor, Steven Gerrard, and he's just transformed it," said Faulkner, who was chief executive under former owner Randy Lerner for four years.

    "He's got a lot of the same players, they've added a little bit to the squad but a lot of this team have been there for an awfully long time, predating the manager.

    "You see how he's managed to knit that unit together and get consistent results. Absolutely remarkable, I think he's a magician.

    "It would be nice now just to cap that off with some silverware. These opportunities are tough to get to so when you are in a final it'll be great to get the tangible return on the brilliant work he's done."

  7. Postpublished at 15:17 BST

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    Some incredible efforts being made to see the game.

    Tim and Kieran have travelled from Cape Town and New York to soak up the atmosphere - and the rain - in Istanbul.

    While Sheryl has decamped to Bermuda and now needs a sports bar, urgently.

    And Rich is transporting himself back to his 12-year-old self, while watching the final with his two young boys.

    Football eh...

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - 'From Cape Town to Istanbul'published at 15:13 BST

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    Being a bit of a wuzz, staying indoors while it’s rainy. I’ve travelled from Cape Town. Privileged to have been a Villa fan for 50 years, through a lot of thick and some incredible thin! In Unai we trust.

    Tim, in Istanbul

  9. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than with my boys tonight'published at 15:11 BST

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    I was 12 when Villa last won a trophy. My boys are now 10 and 7, support Villa and are massively excited about the final and prospect of silverware. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere other than with them tonight, especially IF we win. UTV

    Rich

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Looking for a sport's bar in Bermuda that's open until 2am'published at 15:10 BST

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    My dad, Syd Stonehouse, worked at Bodymoor Heath training ground for 50 years. Will be thinking of him tonight. We are on holiday in Bermuda, 4hrs ahead of the UK, so looking for a sports bar that's open until 2am. UTV

    Sheryl

  11. Time for Villa to write new European chapter - Spinkpublished at 15:07 BST

    Freiburg v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

    Nick Mashiter
    BBC Sport football news reporter

    nigel SpinkImage source, Getty Images

    Nigel Spink - the unlikely hero of Aston Villa's European Cup-winning team - believes it is time that trophy is "moved along the shelf" to make room for more silverware.

    "I felt like it was time for the European Cup to be moved along the shelf a little bit to make room for another European trophy and I'm so pleased we've got an opportunity to do that," the former Villa goalkeeper told BBC Sport.

    "I know we're one step away still but if we do beat Freiburg then there'll be nobody more pleased than me to see that another crop of players having achieved European glory for the mighty club."

    Spink went on to play 460 times for Villa, also winning the 1994 League Cup.

    He remained with Villa as they were relegated to the Second Division in 1987, just five years after being crowned kings of Europe.

    "We got to a point, as a club, where we competed at the same level as the likes of Liverpool but it didn't step on," he said. "It wasn't embraced I feel, for whatever reason."

  12. The heroes of Villa's last European successpublished at 15:00 BST

    Aston Villa

    European final Aston Villa - 1982Image source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa last tasted European success in 1982, when they won the European Cup (now known as the Champions League).

    Goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer went off with a neck injury and was replaced by Nigel Spink, a youngster who had made just one previous first team appearance.

    However, Spink made save after save to deny Bayern’s talented forwards during his second game for Villa.

    They triumphed against Bayern Munich, with Peter Withe scoring the winner in the 67th minute.

    One of the heroes of that final, striker Gary Shaw, sadly passed away in September 2024.

    He came through the youth ranks at his boyhood club and went on to score 79 goals in 213 games for Villa.

  13. Postpublished at 14:57 BST

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    We spoke earlier about raising a glass to those who are no longer with us.

    It's fair to say that many Aston Villa fans who can hark back to their previous European trophy success will certainly be doing that tonight...

  14. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Let’s bring three European trophies back'published at 14:53 BST

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    As a Palace fan, I’ll be throwing my full support behind Villa tonight. Let’s bring three European trophies back here before the World Cup - start the trend!!

    Nick

  15. 'Fingers crossed he gets the job done'published at 14:50 BST

    Freiburg v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    John McGinnImage source, Getty Images

    We know at least one Aston Villa player who won't be afraid of a drop of rain - Super John McGinn.

    Former Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton told BBC Radio 5 Live that the respected club captain and Scottish international was 'someone you need in your team':

    "One thing about John McGinn, I think every manager has got to the point where they see him as the most important player in the team. His ability, his work-rate, he's somebody that you need in your team.

    "I think if you asked any of those Villa players the one person that is most important in that team, they would say John McGinn. Off the field he is a great character, a great personality to have around the place.

    "He will be the first to say that he doesn't consider himself as the best player in the team but for what he offers, he is certainly the most important. He's been fantastic so fingers crossed he gets the job done. Villa win, I'm going to go convincing [and say] 3-1."

  16. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Villa would prefer drier conditions'published at 14:47 BST

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    Rain in Istanbul is absolutely shocking. Feels like Villa would prefer drier conditions to zip the ball around quicker. Freiburg more direct — could this suit them more? Currently hiding in a pub trying to stay dry.

    Nigel

    A slick surface could suit Villa, Nigel. Or are we talking deep puddles and heavy downpours?

  17. get involved

    Get Involved - 'From New York to Istanbul'published at 14:45 BST

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    I've travelled from New York to Istanbul for the final. Not many American Villa fans exist. Up the Villa!

    Kieran

    It's 29C and sunny right now in New York, Kieran, but thundery showers are predicted later so I think you made the right choice...

  18. Thundery showers expected for finalpublished at 14:41 BST

    Freiburg v Aston Villa (20:00 BST)

    We should probably also raise a glass to those braving the elements in Turkey.

    The Europa League final kick offs in Istanbul at 10pm local time (20:00 BST).

    But at the moment, the weather is far from ideal.

    Unfortunately, things are not likely to improve.

    The current weather forecast is 17 degrees from 10pm onwards with thundery showers and light winds.

    Freiburg and Villa fans will need their umbrellas.

    IstanbulImage source, BBC Sport
    IstanbulImage source, BBC Sport
    IstanbulImage source, BBC Sport
  19. Postpublished at 14:38 BST

    Craig Nelson
    BBC Sport reporter

    I'm not going to lie, I started welling up reading those last two messages.

    It's an experience football fans share, whatever club they support.

    In these key moments it's impossible not to think of those who are no longer with us, while also wondering what the future holds for our nearest and dearest.

    It's a bit early, but I'm raising a glass to you all!

  20. get involved

    Get Involved - A final for the ages?published at 14:34 BST

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    Age of 11 I stayed up with my grandad to watch the Villa win the European Cup in 1982. Now I'm 55 and Stanley is long departed, but I will raise a glass to him at 8pm tonight and another couple once we win!

    James

    Travelling home to the watch the final with my very excited 10 year old son. I’m a little annoyed he has had this incredible evening so early in his life, but I hope there are many more. UTV

    Simon