Unai Emery and Julian Schuster have delivered their final messages ahead of tonight’s Europa League final at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul.
- Kick-off is at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max
- Emery described the occasion as “something special”, urging his squad to “enjoy the process and respect the final”
- Schuster insisted Freiburg are “really motivated to win it”, not simply content to have reached the final
- Both clubs are the competition’s two highest scorers: Villa with 28 goals, Freiburg with 25
Emery: “Enjoy It, enjoy the process, enjoy the final”
Unai Emery has approached the final hours before the biggest game of his Villa tenure with characteristic serenity and purpose.
The Spanish manager appearing in a record-extending sixth Europa League final as a coach, delivered a message that was simultaneously humble, respectful and quietly confident.
“It’s something special to play one final in Istanbul and we can feel proud of how we achieved it,” Emery stated. “Now enjoy it, enjoy the process, enjoy the final, enjoy preparing the game, respecting the competition, respecting the final, respecting Freiburg.”
That deliberate emphasis on enjoyment, rather than pressure or anxiety, reflects the emotional intelligence that has defined his management of this squad throughout the entire European campaign. Four wins from five previous finals.
An 85.7% win rate in this competition with Villa. The most experienced Europa League manager in history. Tonight is his stage and he has never looked more comfortable on it.
Schuster: “We are really motivated to win it”
Julian Schuster’s pre-final message was equally direct and notably ambitious for a first-time finalist whose club has never previously won a major trophy in 122 years of existence. The 41-year-old Freiburg manager refused to accept that reaching the final represents success in itself.
“It’s already really special,” Schuster acknowledged. “But we do have to mention that we want to take that final step and not just be content to reach a final. We are actually really motivated to win it.” His reflection on the mood in Freiburg captured the broader significance of the occasion for the Black Forest city.”
“The sense of support and solidarity is stronger than ever. That’s the power of football, that it can captivate so many people and bring them together. It’s a really nice feeling and we’re enjoying the moment.”
That combination of gratitude for the journey alongside genuine hunger for the destination, reflects a manager and a squad who have earned their place on tonight’s stage through consistent, intelligent and disciplined European football.
Fairy tale vs consistency
Two reporters who have followed both clubs throughout the campaign offered their own compelling pre-final assessments.
Freiburg reporter Judith Tuffentsammer captured the romance of the occasion perfectly. “Who would have imagined just a few months ago that Freiburg would end this season in a first-ever European final? Steady, dogged work and a focus on developing players from their youth system have already led them to the greatest success and now they have their eyes firmly on the prize.”
Villa reporter John Atkin was equally candid about both the opportunity and the concern. “There were tears of joy at Villa Park among the class of 1996 following the exultant semi-final second leg against Forest, but the 30-year wait for a major trophy is not over yet.
Though Emery’s men have struggled for consistency over the past couple of months, this competition has consistently brought the best out of them. If they can recreate the magic they conjured last time out, Villa will be hard to stop.”
The Final Fitness Picture
Amadou Onana remains the headline fitness concern the Belgian has not featured since limping off in the Forest first leg. Victor Lindelöf, outstanding in the auxiliary midfield role across the Forest second leg and Friday’s Liverpool victory, was himself substituted with a foot problem. Douglas Luiz or Lamare Bogarde could deputise if required.
Freiburg’s only confirmed absence is Yuito Suzuki, fractured collarbone. Patrick Osterhage is a doubt. Julian Schuster paid specific tribute to his medical staff for keeping the squad largely intact. “That’s no given, playing three times a week, a huge thank you to all our trainers, doctors and physios.”
Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Lindelöf, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
Predicted Freiburg XI: Atubolu; Kübler, Ginter, Lienhart, Treu; Eggestein, Manzambi; Beste, Höfler, Grifo; Matanovic.
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Emery wants enjoyment. Schuster wants history. Both are entirely legitimate ambitions, but only one club can deliver on them tonight. Villa have the manager, the experience, the momentum, and the players capable of producing a performance that ends 30 years of waiting.
The final team talk has been given. The lineups are set. Beşiktaş Park awaits. Go and win it. 🦁
