A new champion is about to be decided as Aston Villa and Freiburg meet in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final. It would be historic for both, since it would be the first time either club wins the trophy.
Freiburg took a different route during the year. Their Bundesliga campaign was not as strong, as they could only finish seventh. Their semifinal was exciting, with a 4-3 aggregate win over Braga.
Aston Villa may be the stronger team. The English club had such a strong season that it also secured a Champions League spot in the tough Premier League. They reached the final after beating Nottingham Forest 4-1 on aggregate.
Aston Villa make late substitutions
87' Mings replaces Torres and Luiz comes on for Tielemans for Aston Villa.
Freiburg make another substitution
85' Günter replaces Beste for Freiburg.
McGinn booked for Aston Villa
83' McGinn receives a yellow card.
Aston Villa make two substitutions
80' Sancho replaces Buendía and Maatsen comes on for Digne for Aston Villa.
McGinn tries from distance for Aston Villa
78' McGinn hits a weak shot from outside the box after the ball falls to him following a corner kick.
Aston Villa waste clear chance through Buendía
75' A great Aston Villa combination play leaves Buendía alone against the goalkeeper inside the six-yard box, but he sends his finish wide at the near post.
Freiburg make two more substitutions
72' Makengo replaces Kübler and Scherhant comes on for Grifo for Freiburg.
Aston Villa hit the post through Onana
69' McGinn delivers a cross and Onana’s header comes back off the post.
Aston Villa make a substitution
65' Onana replaces Lindelöf for Aston Villa.
Freiburg make two substitutions
60' Rosenfelder replaces Lienhart and Höler comes on for Höfler for Freiburg.
ASTON VILLA GOAL: ROGERS SCORES AT THE NEAR POST
58' Buendía delivers a low cross from the left side and Rogers gets in front at the near post to score for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa threaten from Tielemans free kick
53' Tielemans delivers a precise chipped cross from a central free kick, but Watkins sends his effort wide after stretching to reach the ball.
Buendía tries from long range for Aston Villa
49' Buendía attempts to chip Atubolu from outside the box, but the Freiburg goalkeeper gathers it comfortably.
Second half underway in the Europa League final
Freiburg and Aston Villa are back on the field with Aston Villa leading 2-0.
ASTON VILLA GOAL: BUENDÍA SCORES A STUNNER
45+3' Buendía curls a left-footed shot into the top corner for a brilliant Aston Villa goal.
Halftime whistle in the Europa League final
45+3' Aston Villa take a 2-0 lead over Freiburg into halftime.
Aston Villa counterattack denied by defender
45' Buendía breaks forward on a counterattack and McGinn gets a touch on the cross, but it deflects off a defender.
First-half stoppage time announced
45' Three minutes added to the first half.
ASTON VILLA GOAL: TIELEMANS SCORES
41' A well-worked Aston Villa corner leads to a cross from Rogers and an excellent volley goal from Tielemans.
Freiburg chance created by Mazzambi
38' Mazzambi makes a great run down the left side inside the box, but his cross across goal is too strong.
McGinn shot blocked in counterattack
36' McGinn’s shot inside the box is blocked by Lienhart after a good counterattack involving Buendía and Watkins.
Freiburg attack blocked by Martínez
34' Weak right-footed shot from Mazzambi is easily saved by Martínez.
Aston Villa control possession
27' The teams are exchanging possession with Aston Villa having more of the ball.
Aston Villa's Cash booked
20' Aston Villa's Cash receives a yellow card after a foul
Freiburg's Höfler goes close
16' A cross into the box finds Freiburg's Höfler, whose left-footed shot inside the area goes just wide
Aston Villa's Buendía booked
15' Aston Villa's Buendía receives a yellow card after a foul
Aston Villa's Rogers goes close
9' Rogers places a right-footed shot just wide of the goalkeeper’s left post
Freiburg's Treu booked
4' Freiburg's Treu receives a yellow card after a foul
Aston Villa's Rogers long-range effort saved
2' Rogers fires from outside the box, but the goalkeeper makes a great save.
Kickoff
The match between Aston Villa and Freiburg begins.
Confirmed lineup for Freiburg
Atubolu; Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Höfler, Grifo; Matanovic
Confirmed lineup for Aston Villa:
Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Lindelöf, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendía; Watkins
The referee
The referee of the match is François Letexier.
Their league positions
Aston Villa are fourth in the Premier League, while Freiburg are seventh in the Bundesliga.
The stadium
The match venue is Tupras Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. It has a capacity of 42,445.
Welcome
Welcome to live coverage of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final: Aston Villa vs Freiburg.
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