Published 21 May 2026
Aston Villa are Europa League champions. In a dominant display at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul, Unai Emery's side swept aside SC Freiburg 3-0 to claim the club's first European trophy since 1982 and end a 30-year wait for any silverware.
Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers were the goalscorers as Villa produced a clinical, composed performance when it mattered most.
A slow start, then moments of magic
The game took time to settle, with both sides showing early nerves in front of a vibrant atmosphere. Freiburg's best chance of the first half fell to Höfler in the 17th minute, whose effort from the edge of the box flew just wide. Igor Matanović threatened with a header in the opening minute but couldn't find the target.
Villa then turned the game on its head in the closing stages of the first half. In the 41st minute, Tielemans latched onto a precise cross from Rogers from a short corner and powered a superb volley past goalkeeper Noah Atubolu to give the English side the lead. The blow visibly rocked Freiburg, and just before the break things got worse — Buendía received the ball outside the box, shifted onto his left foot and bent a stunning effort into the far corner to make it 2-0 with virtually the last kick of the half.
Villa seal it early in the second half
The confidence was flowing through Villa after the break. In the 57th minute, Buendía worked his magic again, jinking down the left before crossing for Rogers to apply a simple finish at the near post. At 3-0, the contest was over.
Freiburg tried to respond but created little of note. Amadou Onana came close to a fourth when he headed against the post from a corner, while Watkins and Buendía both went close before Villa calmly saw out the game.
For Freiburg, it was a night to forget — though their run to the final was a remarkable achievement in itself. They will return to European football next season via the Conference League play-offs.
Emery — the Europa League's greatest ever
Unai Emery has now won this competition five times — three with Sevilla, once with Villarreal and now with Aston Villa — becoming the first coach in history to lift the trophy with three different clubs.
Remarkably, all three clubs have 'villa' in their name.
"We played in a very serious way this year — so focused," said Emery after the match. "The players showed their desire. On the field, they are the protagonists, and they did it."
For Aston Villa, this was a night the club and its fans will never forget.
SC Freiburg 0–3 Aston Villa • UEFA Europa League Final • 20 May 2026 • Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul
Goals: Y. Tielemans (41'), E. Buendía (45'), M. Rogers (57') Discipline: 4 yellow cards Stats: Villa 17 attempts — Freiburg 4 | Possession: 51%–49% | Corners: 8–1
Freiburg
