{"id":2456,"date":"2026-05-20T21:38:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T21:38:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2456"},"modified":"2026-05-20T21:38:55","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T21:38:55","slug":"aston-villa-end-decades-long-wait-for-major-trophy-with-europa-league-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?p=2456","title":{"rendered":"Aston Villa end decades long wait for major trophy with Europa League victory"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-1ihz57b-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"independent\">\n<div data-theme-wrapper=\"independent\" style=\"display:contents\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveInsideSportNews\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM cLEJmn\">Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of sport<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM iTZFOX\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM iGYpOF\">Get our free Inside Sport newsletter<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/InsideSport1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Inside Sport\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/aston-villa\">Aston Villa<\/a> ended their 30-year wait for a trophy as they strolled to an emphatic 3-0 victory over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/freiburg\">Freiburg<\/a> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/europa-league\">Europa League<\/a> final in Istanbul.<\/p>\n<p>After falling short in the Conference League semi-finals and Champions League last-eight over recent times, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/unai-emery\">Unai Emery<\/a> brought European success back to Villa Park at the third time of asking.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/prince-of-wales\">Prince of Wales<\/a> was in attendance to witness Villa\u2019s first European final since he was born, and watched his beloved side win their first silverware since the League Cup in 1996.<\/p>\n<p>Villa\u2019s quality shone through with a pair of unstoppable strikes at the end of the first half from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/youri-tielemans\">Youri Tielemans<\/a> and Emiliano Buendia.<\/p>\n<p>Villa started to flex their muscles and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/morgan-rogers\">Morgan Rogers<\/a> added a third which sparked jubilant scenes on the final whistle.<\/p>\n<p>They made their intentions known from the outset and it took just two minutes for them to make their mark when Rogers unleashed an effort which forced a first save from Noah Atubolu.<\/p>\n<p>Freiburg have been deadly from set-pieces this season and almost made Villa pay from another when a ball into the box bounced favourably for Nicolas Hofler but he dragged an effort wide.<\/p>\n<p>And Emiliano Martinez, who seemed fine after a slight injury scare in the warm-up, was required to stop exciting talent Johan Manzambi from range.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ewJwgG\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2277336914..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2277336914..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2277336914..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Youri Tielemans\u2019 volley from inside the box broke the deadlock and sent Aston Villa ahead\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Youri Tielemans\u2019 volley from inside the box broke the deadlock and sent Aston Villa ahead<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Getty<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 nCFsy\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2026-05-20T195206Z_1374179070_UP1EM5K1J6SL7_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-EUROPA-SCF-AVL.JPG\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2026-05-20T195206Z_1374179070_UP1EM5K1J6SL7_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-EUROPA-SCF-AVL.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/20\/2026-05-20T195206Z_1374179070_UP1EM5K1J6SL7_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-EUROPA-SCF-AVL.JPG?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Emiliano Buendia curled in a delightful strike to double the lead\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Emiliano Buendia curled in a delightful strike to double the lead<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>All the focus was on Freiburg\u2019s danger from dead balls, but the Premier League side are capable themselves, and they broke the deadlock four minutes before the break courtesy of a well-worked set-piece.<\/p>\n<p>The first corner of the game fell to Villa who played short to Rogers and he crossed onto the onrushing Tielemans who arrived into the area and fired a spectacular volley past Atubolu.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 bkpVUk\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/21\/download..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/21\/download..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/21\/download..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Morgan Rogers tapped in from close range to put the game out of reach for Freiburg\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Morgan Rogers tapped in from close range to put the game out of reach for Freiburg<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->AP<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 cOFvSW\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-1.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-1.?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-1.?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Aston Villa fan, Prince William, watched on from the stands as his team won the Europa League\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Aston Villa fan, Prince William, watched on from the stands as his team won the Europa League<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->AP<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>And Villa doubled their advantage seconds before the interval when Buendia had the space of Besiktas Park to tee up and bend a beautiful strike into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.<\/p>\n<p>Villa\u2019s confidence was up and Buendia tried a cheeky chip moments after the restart which Atubolu was alert to.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 hLIuoJ\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/2277350145..\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/2277350145..?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/2277350145..?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Unai Emery has now won the Europa League for a fifth time\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Unai Emery has now won the Europa League for a fifth time<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Getty<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"6\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ItDWa\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-2.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-2.?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2026\/05\/20\/22\/download.-2.?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Villa added another European trophy to their cabinet, 44 years after their last one\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 YlsWU hgzWpY\">Villa added another European trophy to their cabinet, 44 years after their last one<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 gjqsiM\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->AP<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Villa did not rest on their laurels and had a third in the 58th minute, this time Buendia turned creator who sent in a cross which deflected nicely into the path of Rogers who slid home from two yards out.<\/p>\n<p>John McGinn was then denied by Atubolu after Amadou Onana hit the post which mattered little as Villa won a first European trophy since winning the European Cup 44 years ago.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inside Sport newsletter: Get an expert guide to the biggest moments shaping the world of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2457,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3.jpeg",1200,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-300x200.jpeg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-768x512.jpeg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-1024x683.jpeg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3.jpeg",1200,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3.jpeg",1200,800,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-1115x715.jpeg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-800x500.jpeg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-1024x683.jpeg",1024,683,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-540x340.jpeg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/betreview.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/download.-3-400x250.jpeg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/betreview.net\/?author=1"},"category_info":"<a 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