- Aston Villa have selected their third kit for the Europa League final against Freiburg
- It takes place on Wednesday 20th May at Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul at 20:00 UK time
- It will be their first European final in 44 years
Aston Villa have announced that their third kit will be worn in the UEFA Europa League final on the 20th May in Istanbul. It will be their first European final in 44 years, as they take on Bundesliga opposition SC Freiburg.
Villa have selected their triple white third kit, due to a kit clash with Freiburg’s traditional all-red colours.
On it will be the special match ID to mark the occasion, and the Aston Villa Foundation will be the front of shirt sponsor, becoming the first club community charity to be displayed on the front of a shirt in the final of a European cup competition.
It delivers a range of sporting, youth engagement, educational, employment and health-based projects and activities in Birmingham.
This decision is due to licensing regulations in Turkey, which prohibit the use of a gambling company as a sponsor. Therefore, Villa’s current partner, Betano, has donated their branding space to the Aston Villa Foundation for the final.
In more good news, every purchase of the shirt will include a £10 donation to the foundation. Furthermore, an additional 10% of donations from shirt sales or fundraising efforts in the build-up to the final will be donated to Freiburg and Beşiktaş to support their own social and community programmes.
A good omen?
A triple white kit in a European final could not be more historic in Villa’s history, let alone against a German opposition.
Just under 44 years ago, on May 26th, 1982, the most memorable night took place for Aston Villa. A European Cup final against Bayern Munich, where Peter Withe tapped in the only goal of the match to win 1-0 and earn Villa their first European trophy.
On that night, they wore a triple white kit against a German side that wore all-red colours. Next week couldn’t be more fitting, with all Villa supporters hoping for the same outcome.
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This will be the biggest game in Villa’s modern-day history. An opportunity to end their 30-year wait for another trophy, and possibly cap off the era of the current group of players perfectly.
The eerie visual parallels to the legendary 1982 triumph offer supporters a powerful sense of destiny. Facing Freiburg in Istanbul, Unai Emery’s side stands on the brink of history.
Whether the story of 44 years ago repeats itself in triple white remains to be seen. However, one certainty stands out. This monumental occasion will define the modern era of the club and unite generations of Villa fans worldwide.
