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Europa League

Europa League news

Aston Villa Europa League GFX

Buendia brilliant as UEL king Emery ends Villa's trophy drought

Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers all scored great goals as Aston Villa claimed their first major honour in three decades by defeating Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Unai Emery's men had gone into the game in Istanbul as heavy favourites - not least because their Spanish coach had already lifted the trophy four times - and, towards the tail end of a tense first half, they underlined their vastly superior quality with two sensational strikes.

Player ratingsAston Villa
Aston Villa FC v Nottingham Forest FC - UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Semi-Final Second Leg

Konsa reveals Prince William nickname before Villa final

Aston Villa are preparing for their most significant night in decades as they head to Istanbul to face Freiburg in the Europa League final. Amidst the tension of a first major European final since 1982, defender Ezri Konsa has offered a fascinating look into the club's relationship with its most famous supporter, Prince William.

Aston VillaE. Konsa
Nottingham Forest Crystal Palace Europe 2025-26

No regrets? Final-bound Palace give Forest food for thought

Crystal Palace lined up a first European campaign on the back of their historic FA Cup win in 2025 and are now bound for the Conference League final. That is not the competition that they expected to grace, but a protracted qualification squabble with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest delivered a change of plans. Ex-Eagles star Clinton Morrison has told GOAL why there should not be any regrets in south London or the East Midlands.

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GFX Unai Emery Pep Guardiola Mikel Arteta

Emery labels Guardiola 'greatest coaching genius'

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has hailed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola as the "greatest" coaching mind in the game. The Spaniard also praised the work of Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Paris Saint-Germain's Luis Enrique as he reflected on the elite level of management currently on display across Europe's top leagues.

U. EmeryP. Guardiola
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Lyon face UEFA expulsion over financial breach

Lyon are facing the devastating prospect of being expelled from UEFA competition next season as the governing body prepares to take action over financial irregularities. Despite sitting on the verge of Champions League qualification, the French giants have reportedly failed to comply with the strict terms of a settlement agreement reached last summer.

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Kompany hails Freiburg after UEL achievement

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has offered a glowing assessment of Freiburg following their historic progression to the Europa League final. Despite his own side’s recent disappointment in European competition, the Belgian tactician insisted that their rivals represent a blueprint for success in the modern game.

V. KompanyFreiburg

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Freiburg vs Aston Villa Predictions: A date with destiny
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Ollie Watkins Unai Emery Aston Villa 2025-26 Europa League

‘If anyone can, he can’ - Villa have UEL ace up their sleeve

Aston Villa have work to do in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest, but Tony Dorigo has told GOAL why Unai Emery can be an “incredible” ace up the Villans’ sleeve. The Spanish tactician is looking to land a familiar trophy for the fifth time in his coaching career, with Dorigo saying “if anyone can, he can” when it comes to bringing a 30-year wait for tangible success to a close in the West Midlands.

Aston VillaU. Emery
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest - Premier League

Gibbs-White fitted with mask for Forest semi-final

Nottingham Forest are facing an anxious wait over the fitness of star playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg at Aston Villa. Having secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg, the club are dreaming of the final, but the midfielder's significant head injury against Chelsea leaves his participation at Villa Park in major doubt.

M. Gibbs-WhiteNottingham Forest

Frequently asked questions

Orlando City and Louisville City share the record for the most USL Championship titles, each winning the championship two times. Orlando City won in 2011 and 2013, while Louisville City won in 2017 and 2018.

The 2024 season of USL will see 24 teams compete for the league. When the league was founded in 2011 as USL Pro, only 12 teams contested. That number rose to 14 in 2014, 24 in 2015, 30 in 2017, 36 in 2019, and now back at 24.

Jamaican midfielder Kenardo Forbes is the player with the most appearances in USL history, having featured in 303 games.

With 105 goals (and counting) in 249 games, Jamaican forward Dane Kelly is USL's leading goalscorer of all-time.

Axel Kei, a centre-forward, holds the record as the youngest-ever player in USL Championship history. He made his debut in 2021 at the remarkable age of 13 years and 282 days.

Jamie Vardy, Gareth Bale, James Maddison, John Stones, and Darren Bent are some of the most iconic players to have played in the Championship.

Alen Marcina, Mark Briggs, Trevor James, and Noah Delgado are among the most popular coaches in USL history.

Protective Stadium, which is where Birmingham Legion FC play their home games, is the biggest stadium in the USL with a capacity of 47,000.

Fanendo Ali is the most expensive player in USL history, being bought for $1 million (allocation money) by FC Cincinnati in a trade with Portland Timbers.

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