Aston Villa face off against Freiburg in the 2026 Europa League final on Wednesday night at the Tüpraş Stadyumu in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Aston Villa's Road to the Final
Unai Emery's side roared back from a 1–0 first-leg deficit against Nottingham Forest in the semifinals to reach the showpiece event. Villa finished second in the league phase before beating Lille and Bologna in the knockout stages.
They now aim to evoke the spirit of 1982, when they stunned Bayern Munich in the European Cup final thanks to Peter Withe's scrambled finish after the hour mark.
Freiburg's Historic Run
The Bundesliga club are preparing to make their bow in the final of a UEFA competition. Freiburg have never won a major trophy in their 122-year history.
After finishing seventh in the German top flight, Julian Schuster's side overcame Genk, Celta Vigo and Braga to set up their first meeting with the Villans.
Key Factors
Inevitable Emery
Unai Emery is the most successful manager in Europa League history, and he's gunning for a record-extending fifth trophy on Wednesday night. Villa were the favorites to win this competition from the very start.
Watkins Finding Form
Ollie Watkins is enjoying a strong conclusion to 2025–26, scoring 10 times in his last 11 games. He has a goal contribution in all but one of Villa's Europa League knockout stage outings.
There have been questions as to whether Watkins will find himself omitted from England's World Cup squad, having endured long spells of indifference this season.
Prediction
Freiburg 0–2 Aston Villa
Victory would end Villa's 30-year major trophy drought. For Freiburg, it's a fairytale chase for history on the banks of the Bosphorus.
Freiburg Predicted Lineup
Freiburg almost have a full complement of players available. Japanese international Yuito Suzuki fractured his collarbone and misses out. He was called up to Japan's World Cup squad.
Patrick Osterhage, Max Rosenfelder and Daniel Kofi-Kyereh are also out injured for Freiburg.
Freiburg predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Atubolu; Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Höler, Grifo; Matanović.
Johan Manzambi is one to keep an eye on in the middle of the park. The 20-year-old maestro is bound to play a big role for Switzerland at the World Cup. Italian veteran Vincenzo Grifo is their top scorer in the competition with five goals. Striker Igor Matanović was their leading marksman in the Bundesliga with 11 goals.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup
With Boubacar Kamara ruled out, the Aston Villa starting lineup should pick itself. There's a chance that Amadou Onana recovers from his calf injury in time.
Aston Villa predicted lineup: To be confirmed.