Europa League Final 2026 LIVE: Kick-off time, team news, venue and how to follow Aston Villa vs Freiburg

Aston Villa will aim to end their 30-year wait for a major trophy when they face Freiburg in the Europa League final tonight.

Villa boss Unai Emery is aiming to lift the trophy for the fifth time after previous wins with Sevilla and Villarreal.

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For their opponents, the tie represents their first-ever appearance in a European final and the German side have never won a major trophy in their 122-year history.

After overcoming a first leg deficit to beat Braga, though, they will face Villa in the showpiece contest.

The winner will also secure qualification for next season’s Champions League, although Villa are on course to do so directly through the Premier League.

This year’s final will be refereed by France’s Francois Letexier, who previously oversaw the final of Euro 2024 between Spain and England.

Aston Villa v Freiburg: Date and how to follow

The Europa League final will take place this evening – Wednesday, May 20 – with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.

talkSPORT will have live commentary from Istanbul as Adrian Durham, Andy Townsend and Gabby Agbonlahor present coverage from 7pm.

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The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on TNT Sports 1 from 6pm.

Unlike previous seasons, the match has not been made free to watch on YouTube.

Aston Villa v Freiburg: Venue

The Tupras Stadium in Istanbul will host this season’s Europa League final.

Opened in 2016, the 42,684-capacity venue is home to Turkish giants Besiktas.

It has previously hosted a European final, with the 2019 UEFA Super Cup final staged at the stadium.

On that occasion, Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties in an all-English affair.

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Aston Villa v Freiburg: Team news

The final is set to come too soon for Amadou Onana to return to action for Villa.

The Belgian is not expected to be fit before the final day of the Premier League season on May 24.

January signing Alysson also remains sidelined, whilst Boubacar Kamara will not feature after being ruled out for the season in January.

Meanwhile, Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings are both being assessed ahead of the final.

Lindelof was taken off at half-time against Liverpool on Friday due to a knock.

Freiburg, meanwhile, will have defender Matthias Ginter available despite previous fears over his fitness.

The World Cup winner was forced off during their match against Hamburg just 10 days before the final.

However, he returned to action on the final day of the Bundesliga season against RB Leipzig, scoring and adding an assist in a 4-1 win.

Meanwhile, midfielder Yuito Suzuki has been ruled out of the match with a fractured collarbone.

Max Rosenfelder remains a doubt, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury since February.

Patrick Osterhage joins the defender following knee surgery last month.

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Aston Villa v Freiburg: What’s been said?

Emery and captain John McGinn both looked ahead to the final after Villa booked Champions League qualification by beating Liverpool.

Speaking after the match at Villa Park, the Spaniard told Sky Sports: “Now we focus on final.

“We have to focus 100%, be ready. To play finals is very difficult. We are going to enjoy it.”

Meanwhile, McGinn added: “The supporters have got to enjoy it.

“We’re slight favourites but in finals anything can happen. We’ve got to stay focused.

“It’s what you dream of when you’re young. You’ve got to enjoy it but have fun.”

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Aston Villa v Freiburg: Route to the final

Both sides finished in the top eight of the league phase table to advance directly to the last 16.

Villa finished second behind Lyon after seven wins and one defeat in the league phase this season.

Those victories came against Bologna, Feyenoord, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Young Boys, Basel, Fenerbahce and RB Salzburg.

Despite losing away to Go Ahead Eagles, Villa eased into the knockout stage, where they have since beaten both Lille and Bologna.

Emery’s side booked their place in the final with an emphatic second leg victory over Nottingham Forest.

After losing the first leg 1-0 at the City Ground, they thrashed their Premier League rivals 4-0 at Villa Park.

Freiburg did so in seventh place after winning five of their eight matches as well as drawing two and losing once.

Julian Schuster’s side were beaten in their final league phase match against Lille.

The defeat followed wins over Basel, Utrecht, Nice, RB Salzburg and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

They have since knocked out Genk, Celta Vigo and Braga during the knockout stage to reach the final.