Where would you like your statue, Mr Emery? Even before this emphatic triumph, Aston Villa supporters could hardly have held their manager in greater esteem. But now Emery, in winning the competition for a record fifth time, has delivered the thing he always wanted, a trophy to show for his transformative body of work. Those who were not around for Rotterdam in 1982 will always cherish Istanbul in 2026. Thomas Tuchel had it right a few years ago when he suggested Uefa may as well rename the Europa League the Unai Emery trophy.
Just like 82, it was Villa in white against German opponents in red, this time Freiburg and Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendía and Morgan Rogers the goalscorers. All three goals were sparkling, Tielemans and Buendía scoring beauties to put Villa in the box seat, before Rogers got in on the act. It felt like a procession from the moment Buendía curled a left-foot peach into the top corner with the final kick of the first half and, as a contest, it was a non-event from the moment Rogers struck. Mind you, try telling that to the Villa faithful
Continue reading...
Premium TImes
This Day
Punch Nigeria
Channels TV