Aston Villa ended a 30-year wait for major silverware after defeating SC Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final, securing the club’s first continental triumph since 1982.
The Premier League side took control of the final through first-half goals from Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendía before Morgan Rogers added a third after the break to complete a dominant victory.
The win delivered Villa’s first major trophy since lifting the English League Cup in 1996 and secured manager Unai Emery a record-extending fifth Europa League title.
Tielemans opened the scoring in the 41st minute after meeting Rogers’ floated cross from a short-corner routine with a superb low volley into the net.
Buendia doubled Villa’s advantage seconds before halftime, curling a left-foot strike into the far corner after Freiburg failed to close him down on the edge of the box.
Rogers completed the rout in the 58th minute, turning home Buendia’s low cross from close range.
The triumph also ensured back-to-back Europa League titles for Premier League clubs following Tottenham Hotspur’s success last season.
Emery’s latest European triumph moved him level with legendary managers Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho and Giovanni Trapattoni on five major European trophies.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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