Prince William's emotional reaction as Aston Villa win first European trophy in 44 years

Aston Villa beat Freiburg in Istanbul to win their first European Trophy since the 1980s and they were roared on by Prince William and a sea of loyal fans at Besiktas Park

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Kieran Horn Digital Sports Journalist and Daniel Marsh Senior Sports Reporter

21:52, 20 May 2026Updated 22:31, 20 May 2026

[Prince William was at the Europa League final to watch Aston Villa beat Freiburg]

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Prince William was at the Europa League final to watch Aston Villa beat Freiburg(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA)

Prince William was among the Aston Villa supporters who were in dreamland in Istanbul after watching their beloved team win a European trophy for the first time since 1982.

The future King was shown at Besiktas Park on Wednesday night as Villa faced off against Freiburg in the Europa League final - and he had plenty to celebrate.

Unai Emery's side had one hand on the trophy as early as half-time courtesy of two stunners from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia. Morgan Rogers slid in at the near post on the hour mark to kill the game off and kickstart the celebrations both in the stands and back on home soil.

Victory gives Villa their first major trophy in 30 years and marks another triumph in the competition for Unai Emery, who had won four Europa Leagues prior to the Freiburg clash.

Emery's sole defeat in the five Europa League finals he had contested prior to Wednesday night's game came back in 2019 when his Arsenal side were beaten 4-1 by Chelsea in Baku.

The former Arsenal chief had already guaranteed another Champions League campaign for Villa after overseeing a fine season in the Premier League, where they only need a point from their final game to secure a fourth-place finish.

Villa last reached a major cup final back in the 2019-20 campaign, when they were beaten 2-1 by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

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Aston Villa - Europa League glory special edition on sale now

Unai Emery and his squad have brought silverware back to Villa Park by lifting the Europa League crown. And to celebrate we have produced this stunning souvenir special edition, charting Villa's path to glory.

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It is full of interviews, features, striking images and celebrations as we look back at a season to remember.

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