Aston Villa End 30-Year Trophy Drought as Unai Emery Strikes Europa League Glory Again

Aston Villa have ended their nearly 30-year wait for a major trophy. Their last top-level title came in the 1995/96 League Cup campaign. It also marks Villa’s first European trophy in 44 years, since winning the European Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in 1982.

“Mr. Europa League” Unai Emery has once again turned the competition into the “Emery Cup.” This was the sixth Europa League final of Emery’s career with four different clubs. He led Sevilla FC to three consecutive Europa League titles, guided Villarreal CF to the club’s first-ever major trophy, and now helped Villa end their 30-year trophy drought. His only defeat in the competition’s final came with Arsenal FC in 2019.



This trophy is also the 12th title of Emery’s managerial career. He has now won five Europa League titles, one Ligue 1 title, two Coupe de France titles, two French League Cups, and two French Super Cups.

Villa have also secured their place in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, where Emery will face one of his former clubs regardless of whether the Champions League winners are Arsenal FC or Paris Saint-Germain FC.



Aston Villa Honours
English First Division / Premier League titles:
1893/94, 1895/96, 1896/97, 1898/99, 1899/00, 1909/10, 1980/81
FA Cup titles:
1886/87, 1894/95, 1896/97, 1904/05, 1912/13, 1919/20, 1956/57
League Cup titles:
1960/61, 1974/75, 1976/77, 1993/94, 1995/96
Community Shield titles:
1981
European Cup / UEFA Champions League titles:
1981/82
Europa League titles:
2025/26
UEFA Super Cup titles:
1982