Aston Villa predicted XI: Villans out to end 30-year wait for silverware in Europa League final | OneFootball

Looking to end an agonising 30-year wait for silverware, Aston Villa will lock horns with SC Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday night with the Europa League title up for grabs.

The Villans haven’t lifted a trophy since they beat Leeds United 3-0 to win the League Cup at the old Wembley Stadium in 1996, but not for the lack of trying.

Villa were eliminated in the Europa Conference League semi-final in 2024 before suffering a Champions League quarter-final heartbreak at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain last season.

However, Unai Emery’s side have now placed themselves just one step away from atoning for three decades of agony with Freiburg standing in their path to immortality.

Villa have enjoyed a near-perfect run to the showpiece in Istanbul. Go Ahead Eagles and Premier League counterparts Nottingham Forest are the only teams to have tamed the Lions.

But Villa have come roaring back each time, more recently annihilating Forest 4-0 in Birmingham to overturn a slender 1-0 first leg defeat and book a date with Freiburg in the final.

Villa skipper John McGinn led the way in the stunning comeback against Forest, bagging a late brace to put the result beyond doubt after earlier goals from Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Buendia.

Emery’s side will head into tonight’s final brimming with confidence after sealing a place in the Champions League with a thumping 4-2 victory over Liverpool last time out.

Five days after securing another outstanding victory at Anfield, Villa stand on the precipice of history, and the odds seem to be in their favour, especially with Emery at the helm.

Renowned as the most successful manager in the competition, Emery will be determined to lift the title for the fifth time in his career.

The fact that no club has won more European games than Villa since 2023/24 will add to their confidence as they look to finish off what has been a remarkable campaign.

How Aston Villa could line up

With just five days between the win over Liverpool and the Europa League final, Emery could be tempted to make a slight tweak to the squad.

A back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne should remain unchanged ahead of the reliable Emiliano Martinez.

The midfield pivot could change, with Douglas Luiz likely to make his first start in two months. He could step in for Victor Lindelof, who has struggled to adapt to his newfound midfield role.

While Luiz partners with Youri Tielemans in the middle of the park, Buendia, Morgan Rogers, McGinn and Watkins will be looking to do damage up front.