In a final featuring the stronger side on paper, the result was not a surprise as Aston Villa won their first-ever Europa League title with a convincing 3-0 victory over Freiburg.
In a tight first half, things unraveled for Freiburg late on as Aston Villa scored a pair of excellent goals. The breakthrough came from a well-worked corner routine that ended with a floated cross from Rogers and a superb volley from Tielemans.
When it seemed the teams would head into halftime with only a one-goal difference, Buendía found space and curled a brilliant left-footed shot into the top corner for the 2-0. That goal effectively put the match out of reach.
In the second half, Aston Villa sat deeper to protect the lead while Freiburg struggled to create dangerous chances. A low cross from Buendía that was finished by Rogers sealed the 3-0 win with 30 minutes remaining.
Buendía scored a great goal (Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
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Full-time whistle in the Europa League final
90+1' Aston Villa defeat Freiburg 3-0 to win their first-ever Europa League title.
One minute added in the second half
90' The fourth official signals one minute of stoppage time.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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