Major final appearances
This is only Freiburg’s second ever major final, previously reaching the 2022 DFB-Pokal final, drawing 1-1 with RB Leipzig before losing 4-2 on penalties.
Aston Villa’s last major final was in 2019-20 when they lost 2-1 to Manchester City at Wembley in the League Cup.
A winning streak
Since the start of 2023-24, no side has won more matches in major European competition than Aston Villa (26) and only Arsenal (19) have kept more clean sheets in that time than the Villans (16).
An eye for goal
Freiburg have netted 25 Europa League goals this season.
Since 2009-10, the only German teams to score more in one season are Werder Bremen in 2009-10 (26), Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018-19 (30) and Bayer Leverkusen in 2023-24 (31).
The huge problem for Uefa with English domination of Europe
As tends to be the case with Unai Emery in the Europa League, his team are coming into form at exactly the right time. An often laborious 2026 for Aston Villa has suddenly enjoyed release. Working on limited resources relative to the top of the Premier League, Emery has got it close to spot on. Villa are suddenly flying just before their biggest game in 44 years.
Freiburg team to take on Villa
Freiburg XI: Atubolu; Kubler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu; Eggestein, Hofler; Beste, Manzambi, Grifo; Matanovic
Subs: Muller, Huth, Jung, Osterhage, Scherhant, Holer, Irie, Philipp, Gunter, Makengo, Rosenfelder, Ogbus
Freiburg are ‘a really good side’ says Tielemans
A final word from Youri Tielemans who spoke about Aston Villa’s opponents tonight.
Of Freiburg he said: “I know they’re a really good side.
“Them being in the final, it means they’ve done well in the competition, but in the Bundesliga, they’ve done really good things as well, they’re fighting for Europe every season.
“It’s going to be a very tough game.”
Freiburg are ‘a really good side’ says Tielemans
A final word from Youri Tielemans who spoke about Aston Villa’s opponents tonight.
Of Freiburg he said: “I know they’re a really good side.
“Them being in the final, it means they’ve done well in the competition, but in the Bundesliga, they’ve done really good things as well, they’re fighting for Europe every season.
“It’s going to be a very tough game.”
Emery names unchanged team
Unai Emery has named an unchanged team for the third game in a row meaning Victor Lindelof starts in midfielder alongside Youri Tielemans.
Amadou Onana starts in the bench but could play a part later on.
Ollie Watkins leads the lead again.
Tielemans on his own form
The Villa midfielder added: “It’s definitely the best period of my career.
“My game has matured so I can now guide most of the players, I can dictate play with or without the ball.
“Obviously, my technical abilities have always been my strength, and I try to bring that into the game, once we have the ball, to keep the calmness in the team and to try to make the team tick and that’s what I enjoy the most.”
