Unai Emery Opens Up After Securing Fifth Europa League Title in 12 Years
Unai Emery won his fifth Europa League title as Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0, delivering the Birmingham club their first continental trophy in 44 years and their first major silverware in three decades.
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery spoke after leading his team to the UEFA Europa League championship this season, becoming a five-time winner of the competition over 12 years. Aston Villa defeated Freiburg of Germany 3-0 in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final, claiming their first-ever title in this competition and their second European trophy overall, following their 1981-82 European Cup triumph 44 years ago. The victory also marks the club's first major trophy in 30 years, since winning the League Cup in 1995-96.
Following the match, Emery, who has now won the Europa League five times in 12 years with three different clubs—Sevilla (2014, 2015, 2016), Villarreal (2021), and Aston Villa (2026)—expressed his feelings: "Every time I succeed in this competition, I need good players. Right now I feel very grateful to the players. They have fulfilled our ambitions."
"They are the main characters on the pitch. This is why I don't feel like I'm the king in this competition. I feel genuinely grateful. We are kings together."
"After 1982 when Aston Villa won the European Cup, this was something they were missing—a trophy for the fans. Winning this championship brings us great joy, but we won't stop here."
