'We'll go down in history' - Villa end trophy wait on momentous night

"The way we turned things around was a credit to the players and staff. We kept working, believing. We got the win in the end, Champions League next season and a trophy."

Yet it was not without early nerves. Emi Martinez needed his right ring finger taped and treated in the warm-up - evoking memories of Nigel Spink replacing Jimmy Rimmer after just nine minutes in the '82 final.

But those concerns evaporated. Villa were never in danger and the fans who packed Besiktas Park had already started celebrating by half time.

Villa's official ticket allocation was 10,758 but 20,000 travelled to Turkey, they clearly outnumbered Freiburg's following and crammed into the bars and cafes off Istanbul's famous Taksim Square.

Among them in the stadium, Prince William - who had already sent a message of good luck on social media - watched on as Emery was hoisted onto Martinez's shoulders as Villa celebrated on the pitch.

Head of football operations Damian Vidagany held his hands on his head at the final whistle, signifying a release of pressure, before embracing Tielemans.

Martinez struggled to contain his emotions while co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens greeted the players before they collected their medals.

The future king filmed the trophy-lift on his phone as Villa celebrated a milestone moment.

Rogers told TNT: "It's hard to put into words, we've worked so hard for this. We've delivered and come through. It's a great moment for the fans, great for the club. We'll go down in history."

Image caption,

England forward Morgan Rogers has scored 15 goals for club and country this season

It was the first win of a potential English treble, with Crystal Palace's Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano next week ahead of Arsenal's Champions League showdown with Paris St-Germain on 30 May.

Uefa may have problems with English dominance going forward but Villa will not care much about the others now.

A return to the Champions League was already assured after Friday's 4-2 win over Liverpool secured a top-four finish in the Premier League, easing at least a little pressure.

Emery has taken Villa into Europe in every season, even reaching the Conference League in 2022-23 when taking over with Villa three points above the relegation zone.

It is an extraordinary record given the financial restrictions the club have worked under - selling talent every year to comply with Profit and Sustainability rules.

For all of their money woes, the £5.2m paid to bring Emery from Villarreal in 2022 is one of football's best bargains.

England's Rogers may still leave this summer, especially with a good World Cup, but a return to Europe's elite leaves Villa in a stronger position.

He would leave a Europa League winner, a little over two years after joining from Middlesbrough in a £16m deal, after a memorable night in Turkey.

Almost 50 years ago there was another unforgettable night for Villa and Brian Moore's commentary of Withe's winner hangs at the top of the Doug Ellis Stand at Villa Park.

A new banner for new heroes is needed now.