After a 43-year wait, Aston Villa won a new European trophy last night, the Europa League, after the final with the German team Freiburg. It ended 3-0 for Villa. Last year, the trophy went to the British team Tottenham, of Radu Drăgușin.
It was a historic final at the Istanbul stadium of “Beşiktaş”. For Villa, this is their third continental trophy, after the Champions Cup in 1982 and the European Super Cup won in January 1983.
1982 is the year of the birth of Prince William, a VIP fan who flew to Istanbul to witness this historic moment. Aston Villa fans in Birmingham also enjoyed the moment, flocking to the city’s arena at the time of the final and then taking to the streets to celebrate Aston Villa’s first trophy in the third millennium.
For the Spanish coach Unai Emery it was the 5th Europa League trophy in his career. He has 3 with Sevilla, one with Villarreal and one with Aston Villa, a team he turned into a force in England and Europe. Next season, Aston Villa will compete in the Champions League.
England can get their hands on all 3 continental trophies this year. Arsenal play PSG in the Champions League final, and Crystal Palace will battle Rayo Vallencano in the Conference League final.
