Emiliano Martínez raised an international trophy again, but much of the spotlight was pointed towards Unai Emery. The Spanish coach led the Aston Villa to conquer the Europa League after defeating SC Freiburg 0-3 in the final in Istanbul.
The victory once again consolidated Emery as one of the most dominant coaches in the European competition, while the Argentine goalkeeper did not hide his admiration for the Spanish strategist.
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‘Dibu’ Martínez praises Unai Emery’s winning mentality
After the European title, Emiliano Martínez spoke about the influence of Unai Emery within the Aston Villa dressing room.
“I love him very much“, acknowledged the ‘Dibu’. “I have known him for many years at Arsenal and I get along very well with him. He is a winner like me, sick of winning games. “I love him very much.”
The Argentine goalkeeper, world champion in Qatar 2022thus achieved his first title at club level since his time with Arsenal FC, when he won the FA Cup and the Community Defend in 2020.
Unai Emery increases his dominance in the Europa League
With this achievement, Unai Emery reached five Europa League titles, expanding a mark that places him as the most successful coach in the modern history of the tournament.
The Spanish coach had already won the championship three times with Sevilla FC and once more with Villarreal CF, before now adding a new trophy with Aston Villa.
The English team also broke a long international drought, as they had gone 44 years without lifting a European title.
Aston Villa dominated the final from the end of the first half
The game in Istanbul changed completely in the minutes before half-time. Youri Tielemans appeared first with a spectacular volley that opened the scoring for Aston Villa.
Shortly after, Emi Buendía extended the lead with a powerful shot from outside the area that left the SC Freiburg goalkeeper without reaction.
THAT IS SPECIAL ✨
Emiliano Buendía with a sensational left-footed strike for Aston Villa to double their lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/J5qRmIo5xn
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) Would possibly just 20, 2026
In the second half, Buendía was once again the protagonist by assisting Morgan Rogers, who signed the final 0-3 that sealed the Europa League final.
THE ASTON VILLA PARTY HAS STARTED 🎉
Morgan Rogers slides in on the end to put up to function it 3-0 and the Villains bear one hand on the trophy 🏆 pic.twitter.com/kwAoJr3Xgz
— CBS Sports activities Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) Would possibly just 20, 2026
Emery transformed Aston Villa into a European champion
The transformation of Aston Villa under Unai Emery has been one of the great recent stories of European football.
The coach took the team when it was fighting to avoid relegation and now led it not only to win the Europa League, but also to qualify for the next edition of the Champions League.
Despite the economic limitations and the restrictions of the financial best play, Emery managed to build a competitive team that ended up lifting one of the most important titles on the continent.
Birmingham celebrates a European title expected for decades
The European conquest unleashed euphoria among Aston Villa fans, who had not celebrated an international trophy since 1982.
The English fans experienced an unforgettable night in Istanbul, where the team showed personality, forcefulness and a competitive mentality that reflected Unai Emery’s characteristic seal.
With five Europa Leagues under his belt, the Spanish coach continues to consolidate his legacy as one of the great specialists of contemporary European football.
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