Aston Villa supporters poured into Birmingham on Thursday in huge numbers to mark the club’s Europa League final success, their first major trophy in three decades.
Celebrations across Birmingham
Fans dressed in claret and blue packed the streets as they waved flags and fired off flares to create a carnival atmosphere ahead of a parade honouring the team’s achievement.
The players, each wearing a medal around their neck, travelled through the city on an open-top bus, moving from the club’s home ground to Centenary Square in the centre. An estimated 23,000 supporters had gathered at the venue to cheer the squad as it arrived.
What supporters said
- One fan said the moment left them “just over the moon”, adding that it “means everything”.
- Another supporter hailed Wednesday’s triumph as “the best night of my life”.
Villa end the wait after Europa League final win
Unai Emery’s team brought an end to a long trophy drought with a composed 3-0 victory over Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday.
The scoring was shared among Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers, as Villa delivered a controlled performance to lift the trophy.
It was Villa’s first piece of silverware since winning the 1996 League Cup, and also their first major European honour in 44 years.
McGinn and Emery dedicate the trophy
Captain John McGinn spoke to the crowd using a microphone, reflecting on the journey the club had endured. He said the team had gone through “so much pain” and “so much disappointment”, before adding that this squad has brought “so much satisfaction” in recent years.
Emery then dedicated the trophy to Villa’s supporters, saying: “Our heart is your heart, your heart is our heart. We are together – up the Villa.”
