Unai Emery hails increased Aston Villa stature after European success
Unai Emery became a Europa League champion for the fifth time.
Euphoric boss Unai Emery hailed the influence of the growing Villa brand after he led the club to a first European success in 44 years.
Villa were convincing 3-0 winners over SC Freiburg to bag a first major trophy in three decades.
Emery’s men stunned their German opponents to deliver on their favourites tag with beautiful goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers.
Emery, who won the competition with Sevilla and Villarreal, insisted the success was a result of the continued development of the club he joined in October 2022 - and stressed the importance it continues.
"We are getting stronger and developing in everything,” Emery said.
"The club is working to extend the stadium by 10,000 capacity, we are changing a little the training centre, we are trying to be demanding inside - playing in Europe, Conference League, Europa League, next year the Champions League.
"It makes sense how we are extending the players' contract. We should always be so, so demanding in our process and project.
"Because the project only makes sense if we are winning and making objectives.”
After a tight half hour in Istanbul Villa proved too strong for their Bundesliga opponents and swept Freiburg away with two goals towards the end of the first half, both stunning strikes.
Rogers’ third capped a flowing team move and Villa could have added more.
Emery’s men had already clinched qualification for next season’s Champions League with their efforts in the Premier League.
The boss added: "Of course we are improving, we are playing in Europe, playing finals, winning trophies, in the Champions League.
"I think the brand is increasing, we need that to try to improve in all the things. The brand is very important.
"The players help, supporters help, all of the football world can watch us be ambitious and improve as a team to get objectives at a high level. Of course this is a step forward."
Emery, 54, joins managerial giants Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and Giovanni Trapattoni on five European titles.
He said of his team’s success: "This is something really fantastic. Europe gave us a lot, it gave myself a lot. I am always very grateful for Europe - every competition but especially the Europa League.
"I am grateful to my other clubs especially in Sevilla and Villarreal and now with Aston Villa and with the players it is very important.
"We played it in a very serious way this year. So, so focused and I was telling them we needed wishes and desires on the field in this competition and they did it."