- Victor Lindelöf is “super excited” for Aston Villa’s Europa League final with SC Freiburg on Wednesday
- Having lost it twice previously, he is looking to make it third time lucky
Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelöf is targeting personal redemption as the club prepares for Wednesday’s historic Europa League final against SC Freiburg. He states it would “mean a lot” to himself and the players to be victorious and end the 30-year wait for a trophy.
While Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side aims to cap off a truly remarkable 2025/26 campaign by capturing major European silverware, Victor Lindelöf faces a deeply personal, career-defining mission when he steps onto the pitch in Istanbul.
For Villa, the match represents the ultimate validation of their meteoric rise under Emery. But for the veteran Swedish international, the ninety minutes ahead are about rewriting a painful history and exorcising the ghosts of European finals past.
Footballing heartbreaks leave deep scars, and Lindelöf has felt the sting of finishing as a runner-up twice before on continental club football’s grandest stages. The most agonizing of those defeats came at the hands of the very manager he now plays for.
In the 2021 UEFA Europa League final in Gdańsk, Lindelöf then marshalling the defence for Manchester United suffered a gruelling, marathon penalty shootout defeat against Emery’s relentlessly organised Villarreal. It was a tactical masterclass by the Spanish manager that left the Swede empty-handed and devastated.
Now, in a fascinating twist of footballing fate, player and manager find themselves united under the Villa banner, chasing the exact same glory.
Lindelöf is fiercely determined to ensure that his third attempt at a European final finally yields a winner’s medal. With years of elite experience under his belt and the painful lessons of the past fueling his drive, Istanbul isn’t just another fixture for the defender it is the ultimate stage for personal redemption.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, the 31-year-old said, “I have lost it twice, so it will mean a lot for me to win it on Wednesday. If I play, then I will do absolutely everything I can to help bring back that trophy.”
Wednesday night represents a huge milestone for the Villans, marking their first European final since 1982. For a club that was competing in the Championship over five years ago, the fixture is a testament to their rapid rise, offering a golden opportunity to break a 30-year wait and cement themselves in history.
On squad mentality for the final
In his interview, Lindelöf also opened up on the squad’s collective mentality for the final and how every player will react differently. However, the tactical structure created by Emery provides the necessary tools needed for the whole team to navigate the pressure.
“I’m up for the challenge. Excited, super excited. If we can be a part of the club’s history, then that would be something very cool. I think it will mean a lot to all of the players here.
“For us, to be able to win the trophy and bring it back here would be great, and for that reason, I am very excited.
“Everyone is different though, and I am sure that there will be a few players who are a little bit nervous. Some might be just very excited for the game, and it will be the same for the fans.
“Usually, when I am playing, I am calm, but if I am on the bench or in the stands, that’s when I am a bit more nervous, as I can’t do anything to help the team. I am sure it’s going to be a great evening for everyone involved.
“Obviously, we are all professionals here, and we know how to approach the game, even though it is a new game and a European final with a trophy on the line.
“Everyone will try to be calm and will know exactly what to do on the pitch. We can always rely on the structure that we have built throughout the season, and that makes us really, really strong as a team.
Focus on Champions League
The momentum heading into Wednesday is already sky-high, following a momentous Friday night that saw Villa officially secure Champions League qualification for next season.
With their primary domestic objective accomplished, the squad can now approach this continental showpiece with immense freedom, looking to add a piece of silverware to an unforgettable campaign.
Lindelöf revealed that ensuring they secured a place in Europe’s elite competition was their main focus, rather than ending their 30-year wait for a trophy.
“We haven’t really discussed it (the drought), because the main focus has been to get a Champions League spot. It is super, super important for us as a club playing in the best competition in Europe.
“Champions League football was the main target for us this season, and we obviously managed to secure it on Friday night, which was a great, great feeling. If we can top it off with a trophy, then that would be amazing.
“Obviously, it is a big game for us and the club as well, but we need to try and see it as a ‘normal game’. If we play like we have throughout the season in Europe, then hopefully we can win.”
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The stage in Istanbul is set for a historic European showdown that could alter the legacy of Villa’s current players. By successfully securing Champions League football through the Premier League on Friday, Emery’s side has earned the luxury of approaching this final with freedom.
For Lindelöf, Wednesday night offers a poetic opportunity to rewrite his own continental history alongside a club rewriting its own. Whether starting on the pitch or supporting from the bench, the Swede stands ready with absolute tactical clarity.
As kick-off approaches, all the nerves and excitement among supporters will be building. A match that has the potential to create an unforgettable memory that will last a lifetime.
