Europa League 2025-26

[Brazilian Villain]

Fcuk ABBA.

Hopefully it won't go to penalties.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Don't mention Waterloo.

Hopefully we don’t play like we’re wearing wellington’s.

[Percy McCarthy]

What nationality was the ref in 82?

[cdbearsfan]

French. It's an omen!

[eamonn]

White away shirts
Fans infighting on ferries (well, Snapchat)

It's all beginning to come together...

[Toronto Villa]

What nationality was the ref in 82?

Georges Konrath (France)

[Toronto Villa]

We just need to win our last home league game before the final 3-0.

[Percy McCarthy]

French. It's an omen!

I was hoping so.

[Percy McCarthy]

We just need to win our last home league game before the final 3-0.

Shit! I’ve spotted a flaw.

[Dogtanian]

I had a quick look the other day, but maybe someone more knowledgeable on football history will know whether this is true...

If we win the final, I think we become only the third English side to win a major European trophy in two different centuries.

But, more interestingly, do we become the only English side to have won a major trophy in three different centuries?

For major trophy, I'm considering top-flight league title, FA Cup, league cup, European Cup/Champions League, or UEFA Cup/Europa League.

[cdbearsfan]

I would include Cup Winners Cup and Conference League, but not Fairs Cup or InterToto. On that basis, Chelsea, Man U, Tottenham, Man City and West Ham all have European trophies in two different centuries. If you go by your rules and ignore Cup Winners Cup and Conference League, then it would only be Man U and Tottenham.

We would become the second English team, after Blackburn, to win major honours in three different centuries.

Just to clarify, though, none of this will happen because Freiburg are going to win. There will be NO JINXING here.

[Dogtanian]

Ahhhhh, forgot about Blackburn's league cup! 

[FatSam]

I had a quick look the other day, but maybe someone more knowledgeable on football history will know whether this is true...

If we win the final, I think we become only the third English side to win a major European trophy in two different centuries.

But, more interestingly, do we become the only English side to have won a major trophy in three different centuries?

For major trophy, I'm considering top-flight league title, FA Cup, league cup, European Cup/Champions League, or UEFA Cup/Europa League.

I think Man U, Man C, Liverpool, Spurs and West Ham have all won a European trophy in 2 different centuries. I think Blackburn have won a major trophy in 3 different centuries. Otherwise, good stats!

On a similar note, I was thinking that if we are successful next week, we would become the first 150-year old club to win a European trophy. I appreciate that I'm inventing reasons why we are unique.

[eamonn]

We even prayed at Wesleyan chapel Lozells
In 1872

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

French referee François Letexier named for the Europa League final between Aston Villa and Freiburg on the 20th May in Istanbul. He'll be assisted by Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, with Jérôme Brisard (FR) on the VAR.

Uh-oh, red card for Martinez in the first 10 minutes.

Or his back will go again during the warm-up (hope not, obviously)!