Aston Villa win first trophy in 30 years with Europa League glory as Morgan Rogers breaks record
Aston Villa have ended their 30-year wait for a trophy with a stunning Europa League final victory over Freiburg.
The Villans cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win over the German side at the Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
Victory sealed a first piece of silverware since the 1996 League Cup, and a first European title in 44 years.
Villa had not tasted continental glory since their famous European Cup triumph in 1982, before clinching the Super Cup months later.
And they had just the manager to end their trophy drought, with Europa League specialist Unai Emery clinching a record-extending fifth title in the competition, and his first with an English team.
Dominant display
Villa got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time through a piece of individual brilliance from Tielemans.
A perfectly worked corner routine saw Rogers pick out the Belgian just inside the box, who unleashed an unstoppable first-time volley into the back of the net.
Buendia then doubled Villa’s lead minutes later in first-half stoppage time with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box.
This sparked wild celebrations among the 10,000 Villa fans inside the stadium, including future king Prince William, who was seen going wild in the stands.
After taking a comfortable 2-0 lead into the interval, Emery’s side were in dreamland soon after the second period got underway.
Rogers made it three on 57 minutes, as he finished off a brilliant passing move by stabbing home Buendia’s low cross.
This all-but sealed the trophy, and the Englishman was mobbed by his teammates, with Villa’s substitutes pouring onto the field to celebrate.
It was an historic goal for Rogers, who became the youngest player ever to score and assist in a Europa League final at 23 years and 298 days.
This put Villa in cruise control for the final 30 minutes, as they delivered a totally dominant second-half display.
In truth, the scoreline could have been even bigger, with Amadou Onana hitting the post and Buendia coming close to grabbing his second.
The end to the game could hardly have been more plain sailing, with Villa’s fans celebrating well before the full-time whistle, before the Besiktas Stadium erupted on the referee’s whistle.
Aston Villa’s players were delighted at full-time, while there were tears from World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
As the celebrations got underway, manager Emery was then thrown into the air by his players as he celebrated yet another Europa League triumph.
The Spaniard has now won the trophy with a third different team, having previously triumphed three times with Sevilla, before leading Villareal to glory in 2021.
John McGinn then got the real party started as he hoisted the cup into the air and became just the second Aston Villa captain to lift a European trophy after Dennis Mortimer in 1982.
‘Emotional’ night
Villa’s European triumph was an emotional one for their faithful supporters, not least for talkSPORT’s host and club icon Gabby Agbonlahor.
Reacting to live on talkSPORT, the ex-Villa star said: “Emotional. That victory means so much to everyone involved at Aston Villa.
“What a manager, what a team, what support. Where are we going for drinks tonight? I’m setting my alarm for ten to six UK time [for Friday’s Breakfast Show]!”
He added: “Aston Villa, European cup winners. Wow!”
McGinn: Proudest moment of career
Aston Villa’s captain John McGinn was in disbelief after lifting the Europa League, and called it his ultimate career highlight.
The Scot joined the club in the Championship in 2018, and has been part of a journey that has taken them back to the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League twice, and now lifting a European trophy.
He said: “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.
“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 the occasion, McGinn went on: “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.”
He added: “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.”
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