Aston Villa won the Europa League final 3-0 in Istanbul, and it's Unai Emery's fifth, a total nobody else is near.
Tielemans, Buendía, and Rogers got the goals that gave Villa their first European trophy in 44 years, since 1982.
Freiburg's fairytale, a first European final in 122 years, never took flight.
A midfield in its prime ran the whole night, with the England squad and the summer window now hanging over everything.
1. Unai Emery owns this competition
Emery has won the Europa League five times since 2013-14. Three with Sevilla, once with Villarreal and now once with Aston Villa. He also took Arsenal in 2018-19 to the final but lost to Chelsea. Etch his name in the metal.
2. Villa's midfield is a Champions League midfield
Rogers is the brand name, but Emiliano Buendía, John McGinn, and Youri Tielemans all had goal contributions, and held the midfield like a late '90s Les Bleus. Not to be overlooked, Amadou Onana returned from injury and was subbed on in the 66th minute.
3. Buendía's golazo was a worldie
McGinn set Buendía up in stoppage time right before the break and the Argentine put in one of the better goals in 2026. Where Tielemans' goal was timing meets opportunity, meets talent, Buendía's was a pure left-footed curler that looked like it stopped time.
THAT IS SPECIAL ✨ Emiliano Buendía with a sensational left-footed strike for Aston Villa to double their lead 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo (@cbssportsgolazo-m.bsky.social) May 20, 2026 at 2:56 PM
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4. Is Morgan Rogers the next Declan Rice?
It was no secret that Rogers was the player to watch in this final, but he outdid expectations, and I can't imagine he'll be long for Villa Park. If Rogers plays the kind of World Cup people are expecting, his price tag could be too good for Villa to pass up, and could break Declan Rice's transfer record for a British player, £105m.
5. Tielemans settled it before Freiburg could dream
Tielemans' volley in the 41st minute took the air out of the Freiburg supporters and the team. While the German side started strong, the midfielder's strike was so stunning (coming off a long airborne pass), that I couldn't imagine it would be outdone. Then Buendía said hold my beer.
WATCHING THIS FINISH ON REPEAT 😮💨 YOURI TIELEMANS FIRES ASTON VILLA IN FRONT WITH A BEAUTY 🔥
— CBS Sports Golazo (@cbssportsgolazo-m.bsky.social) May 20, 2026 at 2:52 PM
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6. Emi Martínez wasn't really challenged
Freiburg's fairytale, their first European final in 122 years, was a really nice story coming in, but they lacked the bite to challenge the Villa defense much less Emi. Their xG landed at 0.22 with four total shots, and 12 touches in the Villa box.
7. Jan-Niklas Beste's beard deserves its own trophy
Jan-Niklas Beste looks like he's missing a barn raising to play in the Europa League final
— Nick Hide (@nickhide.bsky.social) May 20, 2026 at 2:21 PM
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8. Villa are European winners for the first time since 1982
It's been 44 years since Aston Villa won a European Trophy, the last time they did they won the European Cup and the European Super Cup. The Villans won't have a chance to defend the Europa League next year, because they've already clinched a UCL spot.
9. England squad tryout? Rogers locked, Watkins on the bubble
The England squad announcement is in less than 48 hours. Morgan Rogers is a lock, but Ollie Watkins, according to some analysts, sits on the bubble. Tuchel was almost certainly watching and Watkins probably didn't help his case. He had zero goal involvements and only one shot that landed off target. Obviously, anyone who knows how Villa works, knows that these attacking midfielders succeed because Watkins has to be respected. We'll see how it plays out shortly.
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