Aston Villa secured their first European final in 44 years with a commanding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.
Unai Emery’s side overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit, with Ollie Watkins scoring just before half-time and Emiliano Buendia converting a nerveless penalty after the interval. A late double from captain John McGinn completed the rout, sending Villa through 4-1 on aggregate.
The all-English triumph sets up a final clash against German club Freiburg in Istanbul on 20 May. Freiburg advanced past Braga 4-3 on aggregate to reach their first ever European showpiece.
Among the jubilant home crowd at Villa Park was the Prince of Wales, William, a noted Villa fan who sat in the stands to witness the historic victory.
With the royal seal of approval, Villa will travel to Turkey seeking their first major trophy since the 1996 League Cup and their first major continental prize since Peter Withe secured the European Cup triumph against Bayern Munich in 1982.
Villa, appearing in their first final since losing to Manchester City in the 2020 League Cup, will be firm favourites against Freiburg, who currently sit seventh in the Bundesliga.
The final represents Emery’s sixth in this competition. The Spaniard has won the Europa League three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, and finished as runner-up with Arsenal. His appointment has proved inspired: since taking over in 2022 when Villa were languishing three points above the relegation zone, he has revitalised the club.
Fifth in the Premier League, Villa remain on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-five finish, though they now also have the option of securing a place by winning the Europa League.
Having fallen short in the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League against Olympiakos in 2023–24 and the FA Cup against Crystal Palace last season, Villa are now one victory away from shedding their reputation as a side that falters on the big occasion.
Forest’s painful exit
The defeat brought a painful end to Nottingham Forest’s bid to reach a European final for the first time since 1980, leaving the club still waiting to end a 36-year trophy drought.
Forest arrived at Villa Park unbeaten in ten matches, while Villa had lost their previous three and were booed off after a home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday. Crucially, Forest were subdued throughout, with influential playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White only fit enough for the bench after suffering a severe facial injury last weekend.
Forest winger Omari Hutchinson curled narrowly wide from the edge of the area in the opening minutes, but Villa quickly found their rhythm. Pau Torres’s header forced a desperate save from Forest keeper Stefan Ortega, who also denied Buendia’s low drive soon after.
Villa’s pressure paid off in the 36th minute. Watkins, bloodied and bandaged following a clash of heads with Morato moments earlier, slotted home from close range after Buendia’s sublime twisting run had opened up the Forest defence.
The hosts’ dominance continued after the interval, and a second goal arrived in the 58th minute. Nikola Milenkovic rashly pulled Torres’s shirt in the goalmouth, and following a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Buendia calmly drilled the spot-kick past Ortega.
Chris Wood was denied by a key save from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez before McGinn put the result beyond doubt. The Scotland midfielder took Watkins’s flick and caressed a fine finish into the far corner from 12 yards in the 77th minute.
McGinn struck again three minutes later, shooting low past Ortega at the near post to send Villa Park into ecstasy.
