Prince William and Tom Hanks celebrate as Aston Villa end 30-year trophy drought with Europa League glory
Aston Villa players celebrate with the Europa League trophy. (Photo credit: UEFA Europa League) Aston Villa finally ended a three-decade wait for silverware as a stunning display inspired by Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendía secured a dominant 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul on Wednesday.It was Villa’s first trophy since the League Cup in 1996 and their first major European title since the club’s legendary European Cup triumph in 1982. On a memorable night at the Besiktas Stadium, Unai Emery’s side produced a performance worthy of joining the club’s most famous teams.Tielemans broke Freiburg’s resistance with a thunderous volley late in the first half before Buendía curled home a sensational second before the break. Morgan Rogers added a third after half-time as Villa brushed aside the German side in style.
Emery’s Europa League strikes again
The triumph further cemented Emery’s remarkable reputation in the competition. The Spaniard has now won the Europa League five times, having previously lifted the trophy with Sevilla FC in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and with Villarreal CF in 2021.Emery dismissed suggestions before the final that he was the “king” of the Europa League, but Villa’s latest European conquest only strengthened that legacy.The celebrations in Istanbul were matched by emotional scenes among Villa supporters as almost 20,000 fans turned the stadium into a sea of celebration. Club legends from the iconic 1982 side, including Peter Withe and Dennis Mortimer, watched from the stands as Villa created another historic chapter.Even Prince William and Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, both well-known Villa fans, joined in the celebrations.
Britain’s Prince William, center, celebrates during the Europa League final in Istanbul. (AP photo)
Aston Villa: From early season struggles to European glory
Villa’s triumph capped a stunning turnaround in a season that started disastrously. Emery’s side went six games without a win at the start of the campaign, scoring just twice during that time.But their fortunes changed dramatically in Europe. Victory over Bologna FC 1909 sparked a remarkable run to the Europa League, with Villa winning 13 of their 15 matches in the competition.The final itself perfectly captured Villa’s confidence and attacking flair. Rogers was instrumental throughout, first delivering a cross that allowed Tielemans to smash home from inside the area in the 41st minute.If that blow sparked the Villa’s celebrations, Buendía’s end moments later sent them into delirium. The Argentine received space outside the penalty area and curled a majestic shot into the far corner.Rogers then capped a memorable night in the 58th minute, sliding in to convert Buendía’s cross to spark jubilant scenes among the passengers.For a club that had endured relegations, failed finals and decades of frustration, the long wait was finally over.