ASTON VILLA TO FACE FREIBURG IN 2026 UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE FINAL AFTER COMEBACK AGAINST N’FOREST

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

Aston Villa will face SC Freiburg in the final of the 2026 UEFA Europa League after producing a stunning semi-final comeback against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

The final is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 20, at the Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul.

Aston Villa overturned a first-leg deficit with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the second leg, sealing a 4-1 aggregate triumph at Villa Park.

After losing the opening leg 1-0 following a penalty from Chris Wood, Villa responded in dominant fashion on home soil.

Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 36th minute after being set up by Emiliano Buendia, levelling the tie on aggregate.

Villa took control of the semi-final in the second half after a VAR review awarded the hosts a penalty for a foul on Pau Torres. Buendia converted from the spot to put Villa ahead overall.

Club captain John McGinn then sealed qualification with two goals in the closing stages, scoring twice within three minutes to send Villa Park into celebration.

The Scotland international became the first Aston Villa player to score a brace in a major European semi-final, while manager Unai Emery extended his remarkable Europa League knockout record by progressing from his last 23 two-legged ties in the competition.

Freiburg also secured their place in the final after an impressive European campaign, setting up a historic clash between the German side and the Premier League club.

The winners of the Europa League final will lift the trophy and secure automatic qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.