Europa League final reaction: Aston Villa beat Freiburg 3-0 to end a 30-year trophy drought
Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers scored as Unai Emery claimed a fifth Europa League win
There will be an open-top bus victory parade through Birmingham city centre later - see details here
Villa will now play Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain in the Super Cup final in Salzburg in August
Captain John McGinn, who scored in the play-off final when Villa won promotion to the Premier League in 2019, says it is 'the proudest night of his career'
It is a watershed moment for the club after ending a three-decade-long wait for a trophy, writes Nick Mashiter
Villa's win means that there is still a chance the Premier League could be given an extra Champions League place
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport
You're right, Paul. It has been a long time coming for Aston Villa.
It’s worth remembering the journey they’ve been on since being relegated from the Premier League a decade ago.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane…
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It's been such a long time coming, but boy it was worth the wait. And the exciting thing for every Villa fan is I don't think Emery is content with just this one trophy. He'll want more. I really believe this is the start of a special period.
Paul, Birmingham
Haven't been to sleep yet! What Villa have accomplished under Unai is fantastic. For him to be snubbed for manager of the season is beyond me! UTV!!!!
Dan, Halesowen
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There have been times when I doubted this Villa squad, but they've done the business when it really counts. Emi Buendia deserves special credit, Villa wanted to let him go last summer, but he fought for his place and was man of the match last night. Amazing goal too!
Matt, Birmingham
What a fantastic night, never thought I'd see Villa win another major European trophy. Just want to give some credit to the Freiburg fans who never stopped singing and created a great atmosphere in the stadium. Will live forever in the memory the night Aston Villa conquered Europe... again!
Chris, Northfield
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter in Istanbul
A decade ago Villa were contemplating Championship football after relegation from the Premier League.
The club was on the brink of administration before Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris bought a controlling stake in 2018.
A year later Dean Smith took them back to the Premier League via the play-offs before consolidating in the top flight.
That position looked in doubt under Steven Gerrard but Unai Emery has taken the club to new heights.
Villa have backed Emery, allowing him a huge degree of control he would not be afforded at other clubs, and their patience and trust has paid off spectacularly.
He has turned players who signed from the Championship - like Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Matty Cash - into Champions League players and internationals.
There are likely to be several departures this summer as Villa revamp the squad but Emery has the backing to maintain Villa's trajectory.
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Ian Dennis
BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesJohn McGinn said ahead of the game it was always going to be the proudest moment of his Villa career, but he was part of the Villa squad just seven years ago, that had got promoted to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs. In fact, he scored the winning goal against Derby in 2019. There was only him, Tammy Abraham, who's in his second spell at Villa, and Tyrone Mings who were part of that squad, so they've come a long way in those seven years.
McGinn was saying that was for the fans, because during that season they'd gone to places like Rotherham, Bolton and Wigan, and the supporters had backed them, but there was also a feeling within the group that they had to get this trophy, they had to get something for the progress they'd made.
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I’m not a Villa fan but couldn’t be happier for them. A great club, proper stadium and great fans. This is a victory for football.
Wayne, Belfast
Manchester City fan, I have a lot of respect for Villa and I'm proud to see them win the Europa League. The manager is great. It's a bright future at the club.
Carmine, Manchester
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Mark Chapman
Presenter on BBC 5 Live
It really couldn't have been a more perfect evening could it? Three of their most impressive performers this season in Tielemans, Buendia and Rogers scoring the goals and then a man who has become 'Mr Aston Villa' McGinn lifting the trophy at the end of it.
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
BBC Radio 5 Live
Former Aston Villa forward Gary Thompson spoke to 5 Live breakfast: "When John McGinn first walked in to the club, we thought he was technically decent. He was okay, but he has just got better and better and is now our talisman.
"We lost Tielemans, Kamara and McGinn. The one who came back, the one we needed, was McGinn for his fire, desire, and drive to take the team forward.
"We cannot allow this man to leave this football club. He should end up on the coaching staff. He is a part of Villa and epitomises everything about this club."
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I was there in 1982 when we won the European Cup, a fantastic day in Aston Villa's history. The Europa League victory of last night is just as much an achievement and a big thank you to all players and anyone connected with the club. Come On The Mighty Villa!
Christopher, Worcester
I was 10 when we won the European Cup, we’ve been through so much since then. What a night, what a season. Still hasn’t sunk in but let the party continue, fans were amazing last night, three world class goals and a great manager. UTV
Alastair, Aberystwyth
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Ashley Young
Former Aston Villa winger on BBC Radio 5 Live
I'm so proud of Ginny [McGinn] picking up that trophy. What he has done for Aston Villa, what he gives to that club is phenomenal. Day in and day out, he is literally 'Mr Aston Villa'. It is so good to see him lift the trophy.
Image source, Getty ImagesFreiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Owen Hargreaves
Former Manchester United midfielder on TNT Sports
To be fair, John McGinn's statue might be next to Emery's
The way he's developed since he's been there has been nothing short of remarkable.
He's so reliable, so consistent. He pops up with big goals. He's so humble.
He's what you want your captain to be.
Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport
Not yet, say Neil and Jack...
But what about one of your current players?
I'll give you a clue who, he does a celebration with his hands that I still haven't figured out years later...
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Emery doesn't deserve a statue at Villa Park....just yet. In my lifetime, Ron Saunders remains our greatest ever manager, taking us from the old Second Division into the First Division, becoming champions in 1981 and then that team winning the European Cup. So, maybe a statue of Saunders and Emery?
Neil, Shrewsbury
Should Unai Emery get a statue now? Not yet. I’m pleased for Villa, to get any trophy is special, but this should be a stepping stone to greater things. Don’t think of this as the final destination Villa fans. A better start in the league, you could really be contenders!
Jack, Bromsgrove
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa fans won't have to wait long to celebrate their Europa League success.
There will be an open-top bus victory parade through Birmingham city centre later today.
The parade will begin on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter at approximately 4.30pm and cover a route of approximately 4.5km, taking in Sand Pits, Broad Street and Centenary Square. It is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes.
Screens will be positioned at intervals throughout the route and there will be three open-top buses, with a claret bus carrying the players.
For those still in Istanbul and unable to attend, you'll be able to follow the parade with us on BBC Sport too.
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So proud of what this Villa team have achieved. Emery and the players get the plaudits and well deserved. But this success goes deeper than that, it is the coaches, the owners, the back room staff - everyone unified to take this esteemed club back to where it belongs. UTV.
Nathan, Wolverhampton
Image source, Nathan BeckettFreiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
BBC Radio 5 Live
Aston Villa fan Simon, who was in Istanbul for the match, spoke to 5 Live breakfast: "The atmosphere was absolutely incredible.
"From the first minute you could tell that Villa were up for it and Unai Emery had got his team absolutely drilled in to the game. Within the first 10 minutes you could tell if we were going to play well or not. It was brilliant and the goals were outstanding.
"I am 33 years-old so I was too young to remember when we won the league cup in 1996. It was a first for me and an absolutely incredible moment.
"I made a rule to myself yesterday; I didn't want to drink too much during the day so I could savour the atmosphere and I wanted to remember it. That's exactly what I did and it was a pinch-me moment.
"It was up there with one of the best days of my life."
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As an eleven year old I watched Villa win the European Cup, the League Cup twice in the 90's, then relegation, but I never gave up dreaming. Thank you to everyone involved with Villa, for proving dreams can come true. Please don't wait another 30 years. UTV.
Richard, Kent
It matters more when Villa do it, but yesterday was perfect. From Emi overcoming a broken finger in the warm up to the footballing clinic we administered. Football how it should be played. Emery is a genius considering that was a relegation team when he took over.
Kris, Spalding
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Prince William
Prince of Wales
Amazing night!! Huge congratulations to all the players, team, staff and everyone connected to the club! 44 years since the last taste of European silverware!
Special shout out to Boubacar Kamara who has been out injured but is such an integral part of our team and helped lay the foundations of this success.
UTV! ❤️ VTID
W
Freiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Prince William was in Istanbul to watch his beloved Aston Villa last night, and it’s fair to say he went through every emotion possible as he watched his team win their first major trophy in 30 years.
The Prince of Wales was only a teenager when Villa beat Leeds United in the 1996 League Cup final at Wembley…
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFreiburg 0-3 Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports about Emi Buendia's goal:
"We play the first 30 minutes more or less trying to get emotionally how it was going the match. Then we started to push more. After we scored the players were feeling better than at the start of the match because we needed to test a little bit how we were. And then the quality. Without the skills, the quality, it is impossible to win."
"[He is] very competitive. Even when I substituted him at 80 minutes, he was angry. Two days ago he didn't train. I spoke with him this morning, 'Are you ok? Are you 100%? Yes? Then play'. When I changed him he was angry. It's his competitive way. I understand it."
Image source, Getty Images
