(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Wed 20 May 2026 21:57, UK

Ally McCoist could not believe his eyes after Youri Tielemans’ opener during Aston Villa‘s epic Europa League triumph against Freiburg.

The Villans smashed Freiburg 3-0 to win their first European tournament since 1982, ending a run of four consecutive losses in their last four European finals.

Tielemans edged his name closer to legend status at Villa after volleying Unai Emery‘s side into a lead, which clearly damaged Freiburg’s mindset.

The Belgian kept his eye on the ball after Morgan Rogers floated one into the box before firing home, but it was yet another well-worked set-piece for the Villans.

Villa lifted the Europa League trophy, and McCoist was one of the Villans when Tielemans netted his second goal of the season.

Ally McCoist taken aback by Youri Tielemans’ goal – ‘my goodness’

Villa had multiple top performers against Freiburg, with Morgan Rogers becoming the youngest player in Europa League history to grab a goal and an assist in the final.

However, Tielemans’ moment of magic may have been the difference maker, as it all went up from there.

Tielemans’ strike had an expected goal rate of 0.05, and he had no issue burying it as McCoist spoke on the overall well-worked move while speaking live on TNT Sports.

McCoist said: “My goodness, what a goal. It’s on a plate for him [Tielemans]; the finish is the easy part.

“Worked to perfection, the ball to him, the movement, it’s beautiful, the ball goes to Buendia, he sees Tielemans pull away, and boy does he finish it well.”

But it was also the Belgian’s overall performance, boasting a 62 per cent ground duel win rate, with a 50 per cent long ball accuracy, too.

The 29-year-old created two chances in the match, one of which was a big opportunity, as he also held an 89 per cent passing accuracy.

It was a 88-minute cameo that had 58 touches of near perfection, but that one strike will be remembered for generations to come.

Emi Buendia got the moment he deserved

Emi Buendia has had some tough moments in B6 since arriving, but stepped up when it mattered most.

The Argentine curled in the second goal of the game in beautiful fashion, another screamer that had a low expected goal rate of 0.04.

Buendia also grabbed an assist, taking his goal contributions up to 20 for the season, and potentially being regarded as a hero for the rest of Villa’s history.

But, in all honesty, they could all be seen as heroes now, and Emery’s fifth Europa League title may just be the sweetest of them all for the Spaniard.

Cue the celebrations back in B6, that trophy is Villa’s.