Aston Villa

It has been 44 years since Aston Villa last lifted a European trophy, so there is no doubt the celebrations in the West Midlands will be carrying on for quite some time.

There is no rest for the Europa League winners, though, as the squad have rushed back from Besiktas Park in Istanbul to celebrate ending the club's 30-year silverware drought with their supporters.

They are set to take to the streets in Birmingham city centre for an open-top bus victory parade on Thursday afternoon - and BBC Radio WM will be providing live coverage of the celebrations from 16:00 BST.

Villa say the festivities will start on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter at 16:30, with the whole parade expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes.

The bus will cover a route of about 4.5km, travelling past Sand Pits, Broad Street and Centenary Square.

Listen live on BBC Sounds

And follow live text coverage of the parade here

Hannah Gowen
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Wednesday, 20 May 2026 - a date for the ages for anyone with an affinity for Aston Villa.

An estimated 20,000 fans flocked from Birmingham and across the globe, descending on Turkey's largest city to witness a historical night for the club, as European glory was brought back to B6 for the first time since 1982.

Emotions in Istanbul, and among those watching from afar, were a mixture of euphoria and relief - fans finally had a tangible reason to celebrate after many years of waiting.

There is no better poster boy for Villa's return to glory than captain John McGinn.

Now a highly respected skipper and seasoned international, McGinn started his Aston Villa career aged 23, signed by Steve Bruce for a meagre £3m, when we were battling for promotion back to the top flight. Since then, he has been a driving force for this team and has consistently defied all expectations.

A winning goal in the 2019 Championship play-off final firmly put McGinn's name in lights, but in truth, he has been a constant source of stability and fight, even in trying times.

Anybody who watches the Scotsman will identify his no-nonsense, hearty and passionate approach to football, and he has helped lead Villa into victorious territory in the 21st century.

Of course, there is so much that can be said about other members of this squad - particularly some of the other long-serving members recruited by Dean Smith.

Watching a group of players that celebrated Premier League survival in 2020 now lifting a major European honour is a testament to the work of Unai Emery, but also the leadership and determination of the likes of McGinn, who never gave up on the dream of adding a trophy to the cabinet.

Image source, Reuters

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Emi Buendia admits his Europa League heroics justify rejecting moves to leave Aston Villa.

The Argentina international scored and set up Morgan Rogers' clinching third goal as Villa swept Freiburg aside in Wednesday's final.

The 29-year-old was Villa's man of the match in Istanbul, having scored a brilliant second goal just before half time to put Villa in control.

Buendia's future was in doubt 12 months ago with the club open to selling him following a low-key loan at Bayer Leverkusen in the second half of last season, but he remained determined to stay.

"Yeah, there could be that chance [to leave] but I always tried to refuse everything," said Buendia, who signed from Norwich for £38m in 2021.

"I wanted to stay here, I wanted to play for this club. If the chance never come, maybe the ways will be different, but I think until the last moment I could play for this club and achieve good things.

"I worked so much for this. I've been working in everything to have a night like this."

Buendia also missed the 2023-24 season with a serious knee injury but has fought back to become a key part of Unai Emery's team.

He added: "I've had some very bad moments, I've been very low, injuries, finding myself in a difficult momentum to play more often, but I kept believing in myself all the time.

"I always trusted my work ethic and also I always thought I could be important for this club and team. I have to enjoy it."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston VIlla co-owner Nassef Sawiris believes the "sky's the limit" for the club after their Europa League triumph.

Unai Emery guided Villa to their first trophy in 30 years with a commanding 3-0 win over Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday.

Wes Edens and Sawiris bought a controlling stake in Villa in 2018 when they were in the Championship and have now seen them rise back into the Premier League, play Champions League football and secure a European trophy.

"The sky's the limit," he said, after goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers took side to victory.

"Amazing. It means a lot. I can't express myself with words. Very special. An eight year ride and we saw today what hard work can do with Unai's effort and the whole team. An amazing win."

Sawiris and Edens brought Emery to the club in 2022, replacing Steven Gerrard when the team was three points above the relegation zone.

Emery has delivered European football every season but it is his first trophy with Villa - and his fifth Europa League title.

Defender Matty Cash believes it will be a watershed moment for the club.

"Yeah, for sure, I think so. I think when you experience these moments together as a team, it makes you stronger, definitely," he said. "Last year we got beat in the quarter-finals [of the Champions League], the season before that we got beaten in the semis [of the Conference League].

"It's a big moment for the club, we've made history. It's been such a long time [without a trophy].

"Obviously the last few years we've nearly got there. We executed the game plan well, we looked like an experienced team, we looked like we'd played these games before.

"But I think we gained experience from it as a team. It is pretty much a similar team, a few additions. To get to this moment, it is obvious that we have learnt from the past."

Hit play below to hear more from Cash speaking to BBC Radio WM post-match on Wednesday, or listen on BBC Sounds here

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We asked for your feelings after Aston Villa's first European triumph since 1982.

Here are some of your comments:

Matt: So proud. From struggling for years post-Martin O'Neill, then deserved relegation from terrible club management. Life in the Championship. Promotion back. To this. It's incredible. The metamorphosis is complete. All involved should take huge pride. These lions never know when to give up. Congratulations AVFC.

Darius: I retired anxiously as a surgeon from the NHS in October 2022. Unai Emery's Villa have been the best thing, making the three-and-a-half-year period the most joyful and fulfilling. Champions League and the Premier League - you're next in the queue! Thank you, Unai Emery's Claret and Blue Army.

Wayne: Absolutely brilliant night. Shared 1982 with my dad - shared tonight with my son.

Colin: I started supporting Aston Villa when I was 13 and they won the FA Cup. There have been so many great players over those years, Gerry Hitchens, Vic Crowe and Jimmy Dugdale to name just a few. We have been up, down and down over these years and never believed we would be where we are now. It's been a great journey. Thank you, Unai and all the team, may it continue. Up the Villa.

Emma: Absolutely buzzing and emotional. I remember watching the 1982 final as a 10-year-old. It's been far too long, but what a way to win a trophy.

Matt: Just amazing to see us finally live up to the potential Emery has shown us we have. An incredible performance from a proper team - no Galacticos, just a bunch of talented players, coached by a true master of the game.

Andrew: What a night. So lucky to have been there to see it. Unai is a magician and will never need to pay for a drink in B6.

Jeremy: My many uncles were huge Villa supporters, all from Brum. Sadly, all departed but they will be dancing (and drinking!) in the afterlife. Well done, all at Villa, you are truly stars.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa goalscorer Emiliano Buendia, speaking to BBC Radio WM after Wednesday's Europa League final victory: "A really good moment and a really good night.

"We were working so hard all season to have these nights. It was an incredible victory. I think we deserve it as well, because the way we competed in the whole competition is amazing."

On Emiliano Martinez playing with a broken finger: "Someone told me two minutes ago. It is incredible to have the desire to play and to compete. It is another incredible thing for him."

On his time at Villa: "I found myself in a difficult moment to play more often. I always trust my work ethic and I always thought about being important for this club and this team.

"I have been working on everything to have a night like this, and now I want to enjoy it.

"I wanted to stay to fight for a place and I believed in myself that I could be important for this team."

Image source, Getty Images

"He is a crazy geezer, he is a mad Scotsman, but he is always the first one in and the last one out," said former Aston Villa defender Ashley Young as he singled out current club captain John McGinn on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

The 31-year-old made 12 out of a possible 15 appearances across the club's Europa League-winning campaign, scoring five goals and contributing two assists.

"I'm sitting here feeling so proud of him," said Young. "I'm so happy he gets to pick up that trophy after what he has done for and given to Aston Villa because it is just phenomenal.

"He is literally Mr Aston Villa day in, day out, so it is great to see him lift the trophy. Like every man on that pitch, from the first whistle right until the end, he played his part.

"He is a typical, true captain. He puts everyone before himself."

Young also praised Victor Lindelof, who made a 66-minute appearance in the final, adding: "Everyone had a job to do and they did it - nobody more so than Victor Lindelof.

"I know a lot of people will be saying he only played 65 minutes, but he gave a lot to the team in that central midfield role.

"I knew he could play in the centre of the midfield, but I know a lot of people will have been wondering what Unai Emery was doing.

"He was winning the ball back, he was passing forward, he was looking to play forward.

"It was just a wholesome team performance from everyone out there. Every single one of them deserves the accolades they should be getting right now."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport columnist

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The extent of Unai Emery's Aston Villa revolution cannot be underestimated.

When the Spaniard took charge on 1 November 2022, Villa were 16th in the Premier League - two places and one point above the relegation zone.

They went on to win 15 of their 25 league games to finish seventh and earn a spot in European competition for the first time since 2010-11.

In his first full season, Emery secured Champions League football for Villa for the first time since 1982–83. His side also won 15 consecutive home league games - the most in their 151-year history.

And now, with Champions League football secured once again, Villa are champions on the continent for the first time in a generation.

Former Villa midfielder Mark Albrighton told BBC Radio 5 Live that Emery has "taken Villa to the next level".

He said: "There are going to be times when you have highs and lows, that is the nature of football.

"Villa have experienced some of those lows but now they are on a massive high. Unai Emery was a step up in terms of what they had before."

There are more teams now who work the way Emery works, who study what he studies and have managers who stay up late watching football they don't really have to watch.

But Emery will continue to go one step further - as he always does.

Read more here

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"I'm not going home tomorrow, I'm staying here to enjoy the party!"

Those were the words of former Aston Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov after Unai Emery's side ended the club's 44-year wait for a European trophy in Istanbul.

"It was written for them to be champions because they have everything," said the former club captain. "Their European campaign has been immaculate.

"They will be enjoying it for a few weeks, I tell you that."

It was a night of dreams for Aston Villa at Besiktas Park as Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers showed their mettle in front of goal to secure the club's first piece of major silverware since 1996.

Star Sport's back page reads "Villa crack long trophy wait with moments of pure genius", as three completely different goals ensured victory over Freiburg.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after the full-time whistle, Villa academy graduate Marc Albrighton said: "This is amazing. I've got goosebumps just watching.

"What these boys have done is incredible. These fans have been through the highs and the lows, they have followed this team everywhere - and now they are here in Istanbul.

"A generation of fans are getting the opportunity to witness a night like this."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Unai Emery delivered on his promise.

Three and a half years ago he walked into Villa Park and vowed he had joined Aston Villa to win trophies.

On Wednesday in Istanbul he achieved it.

Skipper John McGinn lifted the Europa League after 3-0 victory over Freiburg to etch Villa's name into the history books again.

In front of nine of the 1982 European Cup heroes - including captain Dennis Mortimer and goalscorer Peter Withe - Villa wrote themselves another momentous chapter.

Spectacular strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia sent them on their way, with Morgan Rogers sealing victory.

This time they still played in white and beat a German team in red. Instead of Bayern Munich it was Freiburg. Instead of Rotterdam it was Istanbul.

For Withe it was Tielemans, Buendia and Rogers as Emery clinched his fifth Europa League title.

Forty-four years ago there was another unforgettable night for Villa - and Brian Moore's commentary of Withe's winner hangs at the top of the Doug Ellis Stand at Villa Park.

A new banner for new heroes is needed now.

Read more about momentous night for Villa here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Aston Villa's 3-0 victory in the Europa League final against Freiburg secured them their first major trophy in 30 years.

Here are some of your comments:

David: So many great stories in this team. Super John McGinn with us since the Championship, Ollie Watkins from non-league to European title, Emi Buendia out for so long and nearly sold last season but fighting for his place, Morgan Rogers rejected by Man City and lifted by Unai Emery. And the manager – an absolute wizard. Surely he gets to keep the trophy now?

Chris: Thinking of my two Grandads tonight - Holte Enders in the Sky - they would have loved tonight. Up the Villa!

Prit: What a fantastic performance by the Mighty Aston Villa. I thought for a while Villa were trying to compete in their own Europa goal of the season with two stunning stunning goals by Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia. Villa were in complete control and we absolutely deserve this. Thank you Aston Villa, thank you to the Villa owners and above all, thank you so much the Mighty Unai Emery.

Don: Villa played with confidence from the first whistle. Disciplined and moving the ball quickly. Stunning goals to make the performance even more memorable.

Image source, Reuters

Franny: Absolutely buzzing tonight. So pleased for my fellow countryman John McGinn, what a lad he is and a fantastic captain too. As for Unai, we'll need to invent some more superlatives to tag him with. An icon forever at Villa now.

Mark: Super John McGinn. What a player he's been for years. Scottish Cup winner with Hibernian hopefully he'll win the World Cup trophy next. Just a genuine great guy. Enjoy the free drink from the future King.

Magnus: Tremendous performance. You could write text books on how Watkins and Rogers ran their defence tonight.

John: To be fair, I wasn't really aware of Freiburg until a month ago. An absolute credit, team and fans alike, to the Bundesliga. My new favourite German team. You've made it into a lot of Villa fans' memories.

Send your feelings on Aston Villa's first European success since 1982 here

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Former Aston Villa midfielder Marc Albrighton on BBC Radio 5 Live at Besiktas Park: "This is amazing. I've got goosebumps just watching it.

"What these boys have done tonight on the pitch is incredible, but what this set of fans have been through, the highs and the lows, they have followed the team everywhere, and now they are here in Istanbul.

"A generation of fans are able to witness a night like this."

BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter Ian Dennis: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is watching on, but this is footballing royalty with Unai Emery.

"He is up on the shoulders of his players, the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs, a fifth overall.

"He has the process, he has the nous, and Aston Villa have won it."

Ex-Villa winger Ashley Young on BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is incredible, absolutely incredible. It was an incredible performance and they deserved it. As soon as the first goal went in it was all Aston Villa.

"The fans have waited so long for this silverware and for them to get it having played in this way today is unbelievable.

"Unai Emery is a winner. He is a born winner, especially in this competition when he has shown it time and time and time again. Put his name up there alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho.

"He's put this club back into Europe, back into the Champions League. If you had said when we were in 16th position [in the Premier League] that he would come in and win the Europa League, not one player would think that would be true. He's just got a way."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Villans midfielder Stiliyan Petrov on TNT Sports: "I'm not going home tomorrow. I'm staying here to enjoy the party! It was written for Aston Villa, for them to be champions. They have everything. They played really well tonight, scored some great goals. But it was about that project, the process.

"The fans deserve it, the players deserve it. Their European campaign has been immaculate. You can see they're enjoying it - and they'll be enjoying it for a few weeks, I tell you that.

"A lot of good players will watch the game tonight, players across the world. Many of them will be thinking 'I'd like to play at this club. I'd like to be there'."

Image source, Getty Images

The Prince of Wales, who was at the stadium, posting on X:"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."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, speaking to TNT Sports after winning his fifth Europa League trophy: "Fantastic. Europe gave us a lot. For myself as well - a lot. I'm always very grateful for Europe. For every competition, but especially the Europa League.

"I was telling them in there, we need wishes, we need seriousness in this competition. To show on the field that you are the protagonist - and they did it!"

On what this group of players has given him: "We are always here talking about our experiences. We try to use our experiences here. We play the semi-final, we play the quarter-finals in Europe, the Conference and Champions League.

"This final is confirmation of how we are progressing. It is very important for them.

"Of course, it is important for the supporters, they are travelling with us all the season, doing a huge effort to be with us and transmitting us the energy. We must try as well to be proud of everything we are doing with our supporters.

"And, of course, as well, how this club won the title in 1982. And again, competing for a title in Europe is something which makes sense of everything we are doing."

On the future of Villa's project: "We are getting stronger. Development in everything. The club is working to extend the stadium by 10,000 people more. We are building and changing a little bit the training centre.

On achieving the dreams he shared when he arrived at Villa: "I am myself ambitious and of course I need support. The owners, everyone that works in the club. The players, and they are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambitious, being clear and realistic. Every step forward we are doing makes sense."

Hit play below to hear more from Emery or listen on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Unai Emery has now won the Europea League for a fifth time; he's the second manager to win a major European competition five times after Carlo Ancelotti in the Champions League.

• Unai Emery took charge of his sixth major European final – all of which have come in the Europa League – with only Giovanni Trapattoni overseeing more (7), while no manager has won more major European finals than his five alongside Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Trapattoni.