Unai Emery says Aston Villa’s Europa League victory over Freiburg should mark the beginning of a new ambitious era after ending the club’s 30-year trophy drought.
Unai Emery believes Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph can become the foundation for a bold new chapter in the club’s history after their dominant 3-0 victory over Freiburg in Istanbul.
Villa ended a 30-year wait for silverware on Wednesday night thanks to an impressive performance in the final. First-half strikes from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendía gave the Premier League side control before Morgan Rogers sealed the win after the break.
The victory also secured Aston Villa’s first major European trophy in 44 years, marking another historic moment for a club that has enjoyed a remarkable transformation under Emery since his appointment in 2022.
When Emery replaced Steven Gerrard, Villa were struggling near the Premier League relegation zone. Less than four years later, they have re-established themselves among England and Europe’s elite while also qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Speaking after the final, Emery challenged both his players and the club’s hierarchy to maintain their ambition and continue building on the success achieved this season. The Spaniard stressed that development and constant improvement remain essential if Villa are to compete consistently for trophies.
Emery admitted he expects strong support from everyone connected to the club as Villa prepare for another demanding campaign. He highlighted the difficulty of balancing Champions League football with the intensity of the Premier League but insisted the challenge should inspire the team rather than intimidate them.
The Europa League success also added another remarkable achievement to Emery’s managerial legacy. The Spanish coach has now won the competition five times, having previously lifted the trophy three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal before guiding Villa to glory.
The greatest 🖐️ pic.twitter.com/LpIJp7CkTZ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 21, 2026
Emery described his connection with European football as special and praised the focus and professionalism shown by his players throughout the campaign. He believes the experience of winning a European trophy will strengthen the squad mentally and help them challenge for more honours in the future.
While Villa celebrated a historic night on the banks of the Bosphorus, Freiburg were left heartbroken after losing the first European final in their history.
Manager Julian Schuster admitted the defeat was painful, especially after his side competed well for much of the first half before losing control of the game through set-piece situations. Despite the disappointment, Villa’s unforgettable triumph ensured Emery and his players secured their place alongside the club’s legendary 1982 European Cup-winning side.
