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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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.

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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...

Aston Villa

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Aston 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.

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."

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

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 Images

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."

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports about his side's opening goal:

"Austin [MacPhee] is a really fantastic creator. We must be so so demanding in our details. Austin is fantastic. Everything we are working on makes sense. The hours in each training session each day to try to get as best as possible our challenges in set pieces. When we are scoring like that of course we are proud of what we're doing.

"We are practicing it. Austin I believe a lot in set pieces. You can win a lot of matches through it. Congratulations to Austin for how he does his job. We are sharing everything, our experiences. But he is the creator for this action."

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After a cagey opening 40 minutes, a wonder strike from Youri Tielemans broke the deadlock last night.

It was another sublime set-piece routine from Villa, orchestrated by set-piece coach Austin MacPhee.

Let’s hear what Unai Emery had to say about it...

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Aston Villa captain John McGinn speaking to TNT Sports following his side's Europa League win:

"I can't believe it to be honest. What we've been through as a club, this club is close to being in a right bad way seven years ago. When V Sports bought the club over, their one remit was to get it back to the Premier League and back to the levels of before.

"Tonight was everything we built coming together. The pride I felt with 10 minutes to go knowing we were about to be champions - I cant describe it."

On how the game went:

"We started well. I'm biased, but we have a great set piece coach in Austin MacPhee. We tried to deceive a bit with the set piece. We did it against liverpool at the weekend. Youri [Tielemans] has great quality to find the goal. It'd have been over the bar if it were me!"

On what it means to win the trophy:

"It means a lot. As a kid growing up I remember Celtic in 2003. It wasn't a great night for them but it was special. I was lucky enough to go the final at Hampden in 2007. To be here, in 2026, as captain of Aston Villa is incredible. It's the proudest night of my career.

"I'll try to enjoy it. I like to party but I'll take it easy to try and soak it all in."

"Being 31, in my first European final, I've seen my mates [Jack] Grealish and [Andy] Robertson win. It's my turn. It's so special, I'll cherish every minute."

Image source, Getty Images

Let’s delve into some of the post-match reaction from the Vodafone Arena last night, shall we?

We’ve got reaction from Villa captain John McGinn, manager Unai Emery, and even Prince William.

Grab yourself a brew and we’ll get straight into it.

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In response to our question a little earlier, Unai Emery has now won FIVE European finals.

After winning the Europa League for the first time with Sevilla in 2014, the Spaniard successfully defended the trophy in 2015 and 2016, with the latter victory coming against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

In 2021, the 54-year-old lifted the famous trophy for a fourth time as his Villarreal side beat Manchester United on penalties.

Five years on, Emery’s triumph against Bundesliga side Freiburg means he has become only the second manager - after Carlo Ancelotti - to win a major European trophy five times.

After joining such esteemed company, does Emery deserve a statue at Villa Park?

Villa fans, let us know your thoughts…