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Europa League specialist Unai Emery will look to extend his record haul of four titles in the competition when he leads Aston Villa into Wednesday’s final against SC Freiburg in Istanbul.
The Villans are aiming to end a 30-year wait for major silverware since lifting the EFL Cup in 1995-96, while another European success would represent their first continental honour since winning the now-defunct Intertoto Cup in 2001.
Freiburg, meanwhile, have never claimed a major trophy and will be hoping to etch their names into the club’s history books on Wednesday night.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Freiburg vs. Aston Villa key stats
- Aston Villa have won 12 of their 14 matches in this season’s Europa League campaign (L2).
- Freiburg have lost four of their last seven matches across all competitions.
- Seven of Aston Villa’s last 10 competitive fixtures have produced over 2.5 goals.
Freiburg vs. Aston Villa preview: Emery eyes another European crown
Freiburg vs Aston Villa — Tale of the Tape
| Freiburg | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| 7th (Bundesliga) | Position | 4th (Premier League) |
| 47 | Points | 62 |
| 51 | Goals For | 54 |
| 57 | Goals Against | 48 |
| 6 | Clean Sheets | 9 |
| 6th | Home / Away Rank | 9th |
Freiburg arrive in Istanbul following an impressive 4-1 Bundesliga victory over RB Leipzig, a result that secured European football again next season and provided another timely confidence boost ahead of the final.
Julian Schuster’s side booked their place in the showpiece after overcoming Braga in the semi-finals, responding to a 2-1 first-leg defeat with a 3-1 victory at home in the return meeting.
The German club have impressed with their attacking football throughout the Europa League campaign, scoring at least three times in four of their six knockout-stage matches.
Freiburg’s rise under Julian Schuster has also continued the strong foundations built during Christian Streich’s tenure, with the club now preparing for only the second major final in their history.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa head into the final after a commanding 4-2 victory over Liverpool FC on Friday, a result that secured Champions League qualification and extended their strong finish to the season.
That display followed an emphatic 4-0 triumph against Nottingham Forest FC in the semi-finals, overturning a first-leg deficit to progress as 4-1 aggregate winners.
Villa side have been among the standout teams in the competition throughout the campaign, finishing second in the league phase before overcoming Lille and Bologna in the knockout rounds.
Emery’s experience in the competition has proved valuable, although his only previous Europa League final with an English club ended in defeat when Arsenal lost to Chelsea in 2019.
That said, Villa have also demonstrated defensive resilience on the continental stage, with only Arsenal recording more clean sheets than their tally of 16 across all UEFA competitions since the start of last season.
Freiburg vs. Aston Villa form guide & betting tips
| Freiburg | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
LDWLW |
Form | LLWDW |
| 11 | Goals For | 11 |
| 8 | Goals Against | 7 |
WWWLW |
Europa League | WWWLW |
Whispers predicts: Freiburg 1-2 Aston Villa
Villa’s greater European experience and Emery’s outstanding pedigree at this level make the Premier League side deserved favourites, with a victory for the West Midlands club at 1.67 looking appealing.
Goals markets also stand out strongly given the attacking profiles of both teams, with over 2.5 goals at 2.05 offering value considering the majority of Villa’s recent competitive fixtures have surpassed that line, while BTTS – yes at 1.98 is worth backing.
There is also strong appeal in backing more goals to arrive after the interval at 2.00, particularly with Villa developing a habit of finishing matches strongly in Europe this season, while a 1-2 correct score in favour of the English side is priced at 8.75.
> Match result – Aston Villa win at 1.67 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 1.98 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 2.05 | Likelihood: Possible
> More goals in second half at 2.00 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Freiburg 1-2 Aston Villa at 8.75 | Likelihood: Outsider