McGinn's double fires Aston Villa into Europa League final, set for Istanbul showdown
Synopsis
Aston Villa's march to European glory accelerated on a pulsating night at Villa Park. McGinn's double and Buendía's clinical finishing buried Nottingham Forest, sending Emery's side to Istanbul for their first major final in 42 years — a chance to end a 28-year trophy drought against Freiburg.
Key Takeaways
Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 4-0 in the Europa League semi-final second leg on 8 May , winning 4-1 on aggregate.
John McGinn scored twice; Emiliano Buendía added a penalty and assist for Ollie Watkins' opener.
Villa will face SC Freiburg in the final at Besiktas Park, Istanbul on 20 May .
This is Villa's first major European final since winning the European Cup in 1982 .
The club has not won a major trophy since 1996 , losing four cup finals in the interim.
Aston Villa secured a place in the UEFA Europa League final on 8 May, dismantling Nottingham Forest 4-0 in a dominant second-leg display at Villa Park to progress 4-1 on aggregate. Club captain John McGinn netted twice, while Emiliano Buendía added a second-half penalty as Unai Emery's side advanced to their first major European final in over four decades.
McGinn and Buendía lead the charge
Buendía opened the scoring in the first half after a swift run past Jair Cunha and Elliot Anderson, cutting back for Ollie Watkins to break the deadlock. The Spanish midfielder then doubled Villa's advantage from the penalty spot after Nikola Milenković pulled Pau Torres' shirt, steering his finish past goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. McGinn then took centre stage, bending in two left-footed finishes from Watkins and Morgan Rogers to seal a comprehensive victory.
A dominant performance
Villa controlled proceedings from the outset, with Torres forcing an early save and Tielemans testing the Forest defence. Although Omari Hutchinson curled a chance wide for the visitors, Emery's side's intensity and precision proved too much. The hosts' dominance was reflected in their attacking output and defensive solidity, with Ortega rarely troubled after the opening exchanges.
Istanbul awaits
Aston Villa will face SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League final at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on 20 May. The final represents Villa's first major European final since winning the European Cup in 1982. The club has endured a 28-year trophy drought, losing four cup finals since their last silverware in 1996.
Emery's vision realised
Emery, speaking after the win, said: "I'm so, so proud of how we played the match. It's something special to play a final in Istanbul and we can feel proud of how we achieved it, and now enjoy it, enjoy the process, enjoy the final; enjoy preparing the game, respecting the competition, respecting the final, respecting Freiburg." The Spanish manager's track record in European competitions — he has won the Europa League three times — will be crucial as Villa pursue their third continental trophy.
What's next
Villa's preparation for Istanbul will be balanced against their Premier League campaign, with the club fighting for a European spot next season. The final offers a chance to end their major trophy drought and add to their continental legacy.
Point of View
A Bundesliga side, represents an unfamiliar opponent, but Villa's attacking fluency and McGinn's form suggest they have the tools to end their 28-year trophy drought. The real test is whether they can maintain this intensity while juggling Premier League commitments.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Aston Villa advance to the Europa League final?
Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 4-0 at Villa Park on 8 May in the second leg of the semi-final, winning 4-1 on aggregate. John McGinn scored twice, Emiliano Buendía added a penalty goal, and Ollie Watkins also scored.
Who will Aston Villa face in the Europa League final?
Aston Villa will face SC Freiburg, a German Bundesliga side, in the final at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on 20 May.
When was Aston Villa's last major European final?
Aston Villa's last major European final was in 1982, when they won the European Cup. The Istanbul final will be their first major UEFA final in over 42 years.
How long has it been since Aston Villa won a major trophy?
Aston Villa last won a major trophy in 1996. They have lost four cup finals since then, making the Istanbul final a chance to end a 28-year drought.
What is Unai Emery's record in the Europa League?
Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, has won the Europa League three times during his career, making him one of the competition's most successful coaches.
