Aston Villa enter the Europa League final in Istanbul after a 44‑year absence, led by manager Unai Emery, who has reached six finals and won three with Sevilla and one with Villarreal. The club’s squad, still the same that beat Nottingham Forest 4‑0, now faces Bundesliga side Freiburg, who shocked the competition by reaching the final.

Emery, who guided Sevilla to three Europa triumphs, stresses he must win with Villa’s current team, not his past successes. He praised striker Ollie Watkins, who has five goals and two assists in the competition, saying the club’s belief and hard‑work on the training pitch have set the tone for a decisive performance.

Freiburg, a seventh‑place Bundesliga side that has scored 25 Europa League goals, will rely on defensive anchor Matthias Ginter, Swiss No 10 Johan Manzambi and veteran left‑winger Vincenzo Grifo, who netted 108 goals for the club. Their balanced attack and recent form make them a serious threat to Villa’s defense.

With Champions League qualification already secured by a top‑five Premier League finish, a Europa League trophy would cap an impressive season and elevate the club’s profile. The final promises high stakes, a chance for Villa fans to relive a historic triumph and a moment of pride for the city of Birmingham.