20 may 2026

Aston Villa win Europa League as Emery lifts his fifth title

Aston Villa are UEFA Europa League champions. Unai Emery’s team beat SC Freiburg 3-0 at Tüpraş Stadyumu in Istanbul to end the club’s 44-year wait for major European silverware. It is Emery’s fifth Europa League triumph, delivered with a clinical, well-managed final.

Two first-half goals change everything

Villa struck twice before the interval to take control. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring on 41 minutes, finishing a move started by Lucas Digne and teed up by Morgan Rogers. In first-half stoppage time, Emiliano Buendía doubled the lead after a John McGinn assist, punishing Freiburg right on the break. The timing hurt, and Villa never looked back.

Rogers seals it after the break

Any Freiburg hopes faded when Rogers made it 3-0 in the 58th minute from a Buendía assist. Amadou Onana later hit the woodwork after coming on, while Freiburg were repeatedly caught offside and limited to just four attempts all night. François Letexier kept a firm grip on the final, issuing four yellow cards as Villa saw it out with composure.

The numbers tell the story

Freiburg edged possession 51% to 49%, but Villa created far more danger. The xG finished 0.22 to 2.08, shots were 4 to 17, and touches in the box 12 to 32 in Villa’s favor. Corners ended 1 to 8 and big chances 0 to 2. Villa also progressed far more efficiently in the final third, completing 73 of 98 actions there compared to Freiburg’s 38 of 70. Freiburg were flagged offside five times, a sign of how well Villa’s back line held shape.

Sofascore Ratings and standout performers

According to Sofascore, Tielemans led the final with a Sofascore Rating of 8.4, adding two key passes and a goal. Buendía posted 8.3 with a goal, an assist and four key passes after an early booking. Rogers scored, assisted and registered four shots for a 7.9, while McGinn delivered an assist, three key passes and a 7.6. Emiliano Martínez recorded a 7.2 and prevented 0.30 goals, backing up a defense that allowed just two shots on target. For Freiburg, Maximilian Rosenfelder impressed off the bench with a 7.0, while Matthias Ginter and Igor Matanović both had 6.9.

A trophy, at last, for Villa

Forty-four years after the 1982 European Cup, Aston Villa are back lifting continental silverware. Emery’s fifth Europa League crown came with a clear plan, ruthless finishing and control of key moments. For full match data, player heat maps and every Sofascore Rating from the final, check the game page on Sofascore.