In pictures: Fans turn out for the Villapublished at 16:47 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesSummary
Aston Villa players have landed back in Birmingham ahead of the club's Europa League victory parade
It is set to take over Birmingham city centre as the club prepares to celebrate its first major European trophy since 1982
Crowds have started to gather in Centenary Square ahead of the parade, with former Aston Villa players among them - here's the route in full
"I'm just over the moon, it means everything", one fan tells the BBC
Meanwhile, "buzzing and broken" fans have landed back at Birmingham Airport from Istanbul after what one describes as "the best night of my life"
Send us your photos and let us know how you're celebrating
In pictures: Fans turn out for the Villapublished at 16:47 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty ImagesImage source, Getty Images'All we need now is a bus'published at 16:45 BST
Katie Thompson
BBC NewsIt’s a sea of claret and blue in Centenary Square now.
The crowds are singing, the atmosphere is electric, all we need now is a bus!
The fans have waited this long for a trophy, I’m sure a little longer won't hurt.
To see it being lifted in the Second City will be worth its weight in gold (or silverware!)
Flags are out, sun is shiningpublished at 16:41 BST
Navtej Johal
Midlands correspondentMore from the city streets now...
The claret and blue flares have been lit, the flags are out and the sun is shining.
Centenary Square is ready for the Villa bus.
In pictures: The city prepares to partypublished at 16:38 BST
Okay, as emotions kick in here in our comms box and we remember those Villains - players and fans - who are no longer with us to enjoy such long-awaited scenes. we'll take a break from text for a short while and leave you with these images....
Image source, ReutersImage caption, Watkins - we're reasonably certain - will be on the bus, not a bike. But you can't beat a mask for making you do a double take.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersVilla captain John McGinn 'proudest guy alive'published at 16:24 BST
Moments after Villa's players touched down in Birmingham, captain John McGinn described his pride in his teammates' achievements.
Image source, Aston Villa FC via Getty Images"Wow.. no words to describe how I’m feeling right now," he wrote on social media.
"What a journey we have been on together and now again we can call Aston Villa EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!"
The Scottish midfielder joined the Midlands club from Hibernian in 2018, and added: "I never in my wildest dreams thought I would play for a club the size of Villa but to help lead them to a major European trophy makes me the proudest guy alive!!"
Crowds gather at the Chamberlain clockpublished at 16:19 BST
Kevin Reide
in BirminghamThere are now also hundreds of fans gathered at the city's historic Chamberlain clock in the Jewellery Quarter, where the parade gets under way later this afternoon.
A closer look at the Europa League trophypublished at 16:15 BST
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Aston Villa's parade kicks off later this afternoon, fans gathered on the route through Birmingham will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the Europa League trophy.
The heaviest of all Uefa silverware, it weighs in at 15kg.
It stands 65cm high, is 33cm wide and 23cm deep.
The trophy was designed and crafted by the Bertoni workshop in Milan, and stands on a yellow marble plinth.
But there's a catch. According to Uefa, the original trophy remains with the organisation at all times, with Villa instead awarded a full-size replica.
Image source, Getty Images'I was here in '82 and I'm here again 44 years later'published at 16:11 BST
Megan Jones
in BirminghamMandy, Andy and Luke are among the supporters eagerly waiting for the parade to begin.
Andy said he had been a Villa fan since about 1980 and was in Birmingham to see the club bring back the European Cup from Rotterdam in 1982.
“I came to that one and I’m here now so I can say I’ve been to two of them,” he said.
Asked what it was like the first time, Andy said: “Brilliant, absolutely amazing. I was 17 years old I think and it was fantastic.
“It’s a shame this one is not at the town hall because it would have brought back so many memories but this is going to be fantastic.”
Luke said it was “surreal” to see Villa emerge victorious last night after a long period of being an “up-and-down” club.
“It still hasn’t settled in properly, seeing us lift a trophy after so many years,” he added.
Former players join hundreds in Centenary Squarepublished at 16:05 BST
Former Aston Villa players James Chester and Alan McInally have joined the crowds in Centenary Square ahead of the victory parade
Image source, ReutersHundreds of fans have already gathered there, turning central Birmingham a shade of claret and blue.
Why is Villa big in a Ghanaian village?published at 16:01 BST
We're doing another quick nation hop, but this time, not to Turkey - the scene of last night's final - but Ghana.
At the same time an open-top bus rolls through Birmingham with Unai Emery's Europa League-winning side on board, a minibus full of Villa fans will be cruising through a village in Ghana to celebrate.
More than 5,000km away from Birmingham the makeshift parade - also featuring 30 motorcycles - will be travelling through the village of Juaben.
Here's a film from our archives in 2020 to explain why the village is home to a huge number of fans.
Media caption, Why the Ghanaian village of Juaben is home to a huge number of fans of Aston Villa FC.
'There were tears' say Villa fans after team's historic winpublished at 15:56 BST
Rachael Lewis
in BirminghamMore fans are starting to gather on Hall Street, including Charlie, Becky and Vivian who got here early to get a good spot.
Charlie said he was “excited but a bit nervous" to see all the players, and had found the win last night a bit emotional.
"There were tears - it just feels really good", he said, adding "up the Villa".
Meanwhile, mounted police have just passed through as the crowds continue to gather for the start of the parade.
Hundreds line the streets as atmosphere builds ahead of paradepublished at 15:47 BST
Katie Thompson
in BirminghamLet's take you now a little further along the planned parade route where the atmosphere is starting to build on Broad Street, with less than an hour to go before the celebrations begin.
The crowds have started to chant and cheer and the streets are filling with fans eagerly awaiting a chance to see Villa lift the trophy in front of them.
'A lot of sore heads in Istanbul'published at 15:45 BST
Ed James
BBC Radio WMLet's switch locations for a sec...
Villa fan Jane Bissell is one of thousands of supporters still in Istanbul after seeing the team’s victory last night.
Following the game, she had the opportunity to take pictures with several players while they were celebrating.
Image source, Jane Bissell“It was absolutely fantastic,” she tells BBC Radio WM. “I don’t know how but me and my friend managed to stay out until 1:45.
“We were the last ones in there and I actually got photos of the empty stadium. We were just so lucky we were sat where the players’ families came down.”
She adds: “It was amazing, absolutely amazing. There were a lot of sore heads in Istanbul this morning.”
Image source, Jane BissellSilvie is set to celebrate Villa's win, 44 years after she held last European trophypublished at 15:36 BST
Rachael Lewis
in BirminghamMarie, Ethan, George and Silvie will be among the first to welcome back Aston Villa as they grab a spot on Hall Street.
They’ve been here since 14:30 and they all live in Aston near the Villa ground.
The family say they “are feeling good" after watching last night's bit of history.
"The team has had ups and downs," said George, "but they’ve had a really good season.”
But take another look at that photo above and now this one from 44 years ago....
Silvie used to be a Villa steward back in the day, and shared this photo of her with the 1982 European Cup trophy.
Lovely to reminisce, but we must get back to the 21st Century....
'We dropped off the dog at the mother-in-law's'published at 15:30 BST
Sam Harrison
in BirminghamWe told you a moment ago about the Branston Street starting point for today's celebrations.
Fans were out hours ago to bag the best spot possible for the parade.
The first to get there were husband and wife Colin and Gail Evans. They’ve bagged a prime spot for what they say will be an emotional afternoon.
Gail Evans’s father was a lifelong Villa fan and left behind his treasured scarf and badge after he died. Both are being worn by the couple today.
“I shall probably cry,” she says. “It’s amazing. We’ve waited so long.”
Colin Evans says they deliberately wanted to get a great view: “We dropped the dog off at the mother-in-law’s to get a decent spot… it feels absolutely fabulous.”
He explains that it was a strange feeling to win European silverware once more.
“You want it but you don’t know wholly expect it,” he says. “It’s emotional.”
How long to go?published at 15:26 BST
Okay.... as Tielemans proved with last night's opening goal, timing is everything....
So here's some all-important numbers for you...
We're just over an hour away from the start of the parade on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter, where people have started to gather.
The parade is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes as it winds its way through Brum, with a bit of continental silverware not seen in these parts for more than 40 years.
From the JQ start, the players will head via Broad Street to Centenary Square.
We're expecting a moment when the squad will lift the trophy, but we're not sure where that is going to be yet. Stand by...
Spectators can watch a live feed of the parade at screens which have been set up along the route, and you'll also be able to watch that here on our live page once under way.
We have reporters posted along the route, bringing you live updates of the celebrations and your personal stories.
You won't miss a moment with us.
Aston Villa's Europa League winners touch down in Birminghampublished at 15:14 BST
BreakingThe Aston Villa squad has just touched down at Birmingham International Airport - with the Europa League trophy.
They will now make their way over to the open top bus parade route, which begins at about 16:30 BST on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter area of the city.
We've got reporters out on the route, and you'll also be able to watch live at the top of the page when the parade begins later on.
Image source, X/Aston VillaImage caption, A post on Villa's X account reads: 'The Europa League winners are home'
Hundreds start to gather in central Birminghampublished at 15:07 BST
Megan Jones
in BirminghamThe big screen is on and there are hundreds of people now gathered in Centenary Square. Watch that number grow as we get nearer to the team's return and route through Brum.
In the meantime, flags are high in the air, and fans are blowing on - we must say - very loud, multi-coloured horns.
It's true what they say.... you can always hear a Brummie before you see one.
But how are those heads?
Well - and no surprises here - some people admit to feeling the effects of celebrating last night, while others are excited to get a glimpse of their favourite players later.
Will Villa's 2026 team be recognised with a Broad Street star?published at 14:56 BST
Navtej Johal
Midlands correspondentAlong Broad Street in Birmingham, one of the key legs of the bus parade route, there’s a star on the pavement to mark Villa’s 1982 European Cup triumph.
Will there be another one added for the 2026 Europa League winners?
Preparations under waypublished at 14:52 BST
Megan Jones
in BirminghamFans dressed in Villa shirts and others flying claret and blue flags are already out to secure the best spot for the parade, or saving seats for their families.
Around them, there are last minute preparations happening, with lots of machinery noise and people in high-vis clothing.
A huge barrier has been put up covered in a claret and blue flag opposite the central library.
But never mind hi-vis, let's have a look at the only two colours that matter today.
