Aston Villa are European champions again. Unai Emery’s side thrashed SC Freiburg 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League final at Istanbul’s Tüpraş Stadium, clinching the club’s first major trophy since 1996 and their first European silverware since the 1982 European Cup. A night of dominance in Istanbul Villa took control before half-time. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a volley off a Morgan Rogers cross. Three minutes later, Emiliano Buendía doubled the lead with a strike from outside the box. Morgan Rogers put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute, sliding in Buendía’s low cross to make it 3-0. Freiburg never recovered, and Villa saw out the game to lift the trophy. 1. End of the wait: Villa’s last trophy was the 1995/96 League Cup. Fans have waited 30 years for this moment. 2. European pedigree restored: This is Villa’s second European trophy, adding to their 1982 European Cup win. 3. Champions League football: The victory secures...