Aston Villa made history in style, storming into their first European final in 44 years with a commanding 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Villa roared back at a jubilant Villa Park. Ollie Watkins leveled the tie just before halftime, and Emiliano Buendia coolly converted a penalty after the break to put the hosts ahead on aggregate.
Captain John McGinn, a fan favorite known for his never-say-die attitude, sealed the night with two late goals—a fitting finish for a team that refused to back down. The 4-1 aggregate win sends Villa to Istanbul, where they'll face German side Freiburg in the final on May 20.
Freiburg earned their spot with a 4-3 aggregate win over Braga, marking their first-ever European final appearance. For Villa, it's a chance to add to their storied history—their last major trophy came in the 1996 League Cup, and their most famous European triumph was the 1982 European Cup, clinched by Peter Withe's goal against Bayern Munich.
The atmosphere at Villa Park was electric, with Prince William—a known Villa supporter—cheering from the stands. The royal seal of approval was just one highlight of a night that felt destined for greatness.
Manager Unai Emery, a Europa League specialist, is chasing his sixth final win in this competition. He previously lifted the trophy three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, and finished runner-up with Arsenal. Since taking over a Villa side hovering just above the relegation zone in 2022, Emery has transformed them into a force—they're currently fifth in the Premier League and on track for Champions League qualification.
For Villa, this run has been about shedding the "nearly men" label. After falling short in the Conference League semi-finals against Olympiakos last season and the FA Cup against Crystal Palace, they're now one victory away from a trophy that would define an era.
For Nottingham Forest, the defeat was a bitter end to their European dream. They were chasing their first European final since 1980 and hoping to end a 36-year trophy drought. Instead, they left Birmingham bloodied but unbowed, watching Villa take the spotlight.