'We'll go down in history' - Villa's new heroes triumph to end 30-year wait

Unai Emery has fulfilled his commitment.

Three-and-a-half years ago, upon his arrival at Villa Park, he pledged to the Aston Villa community that his goal was to secure trophies. He realized that ambition on Wednesday in Istanbul.

Captain John McGinn lifted the Europa League trophy following a dominant 3-0 victory over Freiburg, etching Aston Villa's name into the annals of history once more.

In attendance were nine heroes from the 1982 European Cup triumph, including captain Dennis Mortimer and the goalscorer Peter Withe, as Villa scripted another remarkable chapter in its legacy.

Stunning goals from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia set the course for victory, with Morgan Rogers cementing the win.

This occasion saw Villa don their traditional white kit, outmatching a German team in red. Instead of facing Bayern Munich, they squared off against Freiburg, and the venue shifted from Rotterdam to Istanbul.

For Withe, it was Tielemans, Buendia, and Rogers contributing to Emery's record of five Europa League titles.

Emery cements his Villa legacy

Emery had already established a record with his prior four titles in the competition. While he downplays the title of European king, there’s no denying he is a proven winner.

This latest victory marks his sixth final and fifth triumph, solidifying a legacy at Villa Park that is sure to endure for decades.

Prior to the match, Villa officials expressed nervousness regarding the trophy parade, necessitating advance preparations due to disruptions in Birmingham. However, the team will proudly display the trophy in the city on Thursday afternoon.

Emery expressed gratitude to co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens for their unwavering support: “I am thankful to the supporters and I am thankful for the players.”

He acknowledged that successful campaigns in this competition require exceptional players, stating, “They are following our ambitions. They are protagonists on the field. This is the reason I am not feeling like the king in this competition. I am feeling really thankful - we are the kings together."

He reminisced about the 1982 European Cup win, noting that a major trophy had long been absent for the club's supporters: “Achieving this one is making us so, so happy, but we are not going to stop.”

Tielemans' volley, resulting from a well-executed corner routine, set the stage, while Buendia's stunning shot into the top corner solidified their advantage.

Former Villa midfielder Ian Taylor, a supporter who scored in the club's 1996 League Cup victory—the last time Villa secured major silverware—could not contain his joy, leaping from his press box seat in celebration.

Rogers’ final goal prompted jubilant celebrations among the substitutes, and an animated Emery was seen exultantly celebrating on the touchline. The win was unmistakably secured.

"I feel amazing," Tielemans remarked to TNT. "My voice is a bit gone but it's all good. We put in a shift, a top performance; we had a great season. To top it off with this is amazing."

Reflecting on the season's journey, he noted, “We started so, so bad. Our standards were very poor. The way we turned things around was a credit to the players and staff. We kept working and believing. We got the win in the end, Champions League next season and a trophy.”

Despite initial nerves—goalkeeper Emi Martinez required treatment for his right ring finger during warm-ups, reminiscent of Nigel Spink stepping in for Jimmy Rimmer after just nine minutes in the 1982 final—those concerns quickly faded as Villa dominated play.

The passionate Villa fan base, which traveled in numbers exceeding the official ticket allocation of 10,758, began celebrating well before halftime. An estimated 20,000 supporters thronged to Turkey, significantly outnumbering Freiburg's fans, gathering in the bars and cafes of Istanbul's famed Taksim Square.

Among those present at the stadium was Prince William, who had previously sent a message of encouragement via social media, observing as Emery was hoisted onto Martinez’s shoulders amid the celebrations.

Following the final whistle, head of football operations Damian Vidagany expressed immense relief, embracing Tielemans after a pressure-laden match. Martinez struggled to contain his emotions while co-owners Sawiris and Edens greeted the players as they received their hard-earned medals.

Prince William captured the trophy lift on his phone, witnessing Villa’s monumental achievement.

Rogers conveyed his emotions to TNT: "It's hard to put into words. We've worked so hard for this. We've delivered and come through. It's a great moment for the fans, and great for the club. We'll go down in history."

A new banner for new heroes is now needed

This victory marks a potential beginning of an English treble campaign, with Crystal Palace scheduled to compete in the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano next week, followed by Arsenal's Champions League clash with Paris St-Germain on May 30.

While UEFA may confront challenges regarding English dominance in European competitions, Aston Villa remains focused on their own achievements.

Having secured a top-five finish in the Premier League following a significant 4-2 victory over Liverpool, a return to the Champions League is now assured, easing some of the pressure on the squad.

Emery has guided Villa into European competitions in every season since his appointment, even managing to reach the Conference League in the 2022-23 season after taking over when the club was perilously close to the relegation zone.

This remarkable record is particularly impressive considering the financial constraints Villa has navigated, often selling talent to comply with Profit and Sustainability regulations.

Despite the financial challenges, the £5.2 million investment to secure Emery's services from Villarreal in 2022 stands out as one of the most astute moves in football.

Rogers, a promising English talent, may consider a summer exit if he performs well in the upcoming World Cup. However, with a direct return to elite European competition, Villa is poised to be in a stronger position.

He will depart as a Europa League champion, barely two years after his transfer from Middlesbrough in a £16 million deal, commemorating a memorable night in Turkey.

Forty-four years ago, Aston Villa experienced another historic moment, and Brian Moore's iconic commentary of Withe's decisive goal still resonates from the Doug Ellis Stand at Villa Park.

It is now a necessity to create a new banner that honors these new heroes.