Europa League Winners Post-Match Celebration Perma-sticky

[Dave]

When we fielded a depleted team and surrendered to a terrible spurs side at home the whole media piled on to both the team and the manager - that selection by the manager has been thoroughly vindicated. If we'd played a full strength side and tired players had picked up a few injuries here and there the outcome could have been massively different. Instead we came out with a virtually full strength side with the throttles wide open. We obliterated Forest, obliterated Liverpool and obliterated Freiburg in a major final. Emerys strategy over what was the crucible of our season was borderline genius and bravery in action. I've long believed that Ron Saunders was our greatest manager - certainly in my time - increasingly I am now not so sure.

Although if we'd have fielded a strong and won vs Spurs the main players would have only had to play 1 game between then and the final whereas because of the Spurs game they had to play 3.  Luckily it's not important now but it was far more risky going weak then it would have been had we gone strong vs Spurs

I'd argue that given the whole thing played out perfectly, the risk was judged completely correctly.

[Dave]

If, like me, you enjoy hearing non-Villa fans waxing lyrical about us and showing how much other fans wanted us to win, listen to the Times podcast “The Game”. It was lovely to hear.

Nice one, I think there’s a shortage of good football pods.

On The Continent is always excellent, but this in particular is a smashing listen:

https://shows.acast.com/on-the-continent/episodes/emery-makes-it-five

It's rare that you find someone who is able to talk about Villa as well as most Villa fans can, but also knows the same amount about Freiburg.

[nick harper]

We’re in exclusive company. Teams to have won both major European trophies:

Real Madrid (Spain) – 15 European Cups / 2 UEFA Cups
Liverpool (England) – 6 European Cups / 3 UEFA Cups
Bayern Munich (Germany) – 6 European Cups / 1 UEFA Cup
Ajax (Netherlands) – 4 European Cups / 1 UEFA Cup
Inter Milan (Italy) – 3 European Cups / 3 UEFA Cups
Man United (England) – 3 European Cups / 1 UEFA Cups
Juventus (Italy) – 2 European Cups / 3 UEFA Cups
Chelsea (England) – 2 European Cups / 2 UEFA Cups
FC Porto(Portugal) – 2 European Cups / 2 UEFA Cups
Feyenoord (Netherlands) – 1 European Cup / 2 UEFA Cups
PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) – 1 European Cup / 1 UEFA Cup
Aston Villa (England) – 1 European Cup / 1 UEFA Cup

[dorsetvillian]

Finally home at 3AM this morning via Sofia. A truly epic adventure. Everyone connected to Aston Villa football should be so so proud of our club. The management, players, fans all gave  110% and it showed the world who we really are. A unique football club. Up The Mighty Villa....

[Pete3206]

Alan Partridge commentary

https://x.com/JGC_77/status/2057875736287932447?s=20