Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

James Barker

Wed 20 May 2026 10:40, UK

Matthias Ginter carries a significant goal threat for Freiburg, and Aston Villa must pay attention to where the centre-back is at all times.

This Aston Villa team have the chance to become heroes on Wednesday night, as they take on Freiburg in the Europa League final.

Unai Emery and his coaching staff won’t have left any stone unturned when it comes to preparing for the German Bundesliga outfit, but some dangers aren’t as obvious as others.

Their big Croatian striker Igor Matanovic is impossible to miss, and carries a major threat from deliveries into the box, whilst midfielders Vincenzo Grifo and Johan Manzambi have the ability to unlock the Villa door.

However, Julian Schuster has another weapon up his sleeve too, and it’s one that could have a big say on the outcome of the Europa League final.

Why is Matthias Ginter a big Freiburg threat to Aston Villa?

Villa are heavy favourites to beat Freiburg on Wednesday night, with their opposition finishing seventh in the Bundesliga for the 2025-26 season.

However, the Breisgau Brazilians will be confident going into the game as well, having just routed RB Leipzig to the tune of a 4-1 victory on the final day of their domestic campaign.

Whilst Freiburg’s forwards and creative midfielders will likely receive the majority of the coverage regarding where the main dangers lie for Villa, one of the biggest actually comes in the form of a defender.

Ginter, 32, is a centre-back by trade, but the 51-cap German international certainly isn’t your traditional player in this position.

He loves to get forward at any given opportunity, and is often seen in possession of the ball deep into the midfield area, predominantly down the right side of the pitch.

Capable of playing at right-back and in central midfield too, Ginter is somewhat of a unicorn when it comes to central defenders, as proven by his remarkable underlying numbers in attack.

On top of his five goals and seven assists from 51 total appearances this season, Ginter has played 96 accurate long balls, created 15 chances and taken 63 touches in the opposition box in the Bundesliga in 2025-26, per FotMob.

If that wasn’t enough, he’s also completed 1,563 successful passes, delivered five successful crosses, won 152 duels, taken 2,204 touches and made a total of 259 defensive contributions.

Ginter is a major threat from set-piece situations, with both of his two Europa League goals and two of his Bundesliga strikes coming via them this year, and he’s capable of spectacular and acrobatic finishes as well.

Ginter has enjoyed superb Europa League campaign

Joining Freiburg on a free transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2022, the former Dortmund defender has enjoyed a career year in 2025-26.

A Freiburg native, he’s been an integral part of their run to the Europa League final, playing every single minute and starting all 14 games.

His 14 shots and six on target, two assists, 939 touches and 112 defensive contributions are the most of any centre-back to have played in the competition this season.

Ginter also ranks in the top 2.7 percentile for successful passes with 670, as well as the top 3.4 percentile for accurate long balls with 46 respectively.

Aston Villa’s midfield and defence, particularly down Villa’s left, have to make sure they know where he is at all times, as he’s an essential cog in Freiburg’s wheel.