After 44 years Aston Villa last lifted a European trophy, the celebrations were just wild in Birmingham, after the Europa League winners celebrated ending their 30-year silverware drought with their supporters.
With Unai Emery’s side beating Freiburg 3-0 in Istanbul on Wednesday night – in front of No.1 ‘Villan’ Prince William - an open-top bus parade took to the streets of Birmingham, with Centenary Square being bathed in claret and blue. Following the historic victory, the Royal Villa-man wrote on social media: "What a night.
“Thank you to Turkey for hosting a great final. Incredible atmosphere and great sportsmanship from Freiburg. Enjoy the parade, Birmingham," "W."
So, it was serendipitous that it was glorious sunshine, as the mini-flotilla of buses meandered through the city streets – from its beginning, on Branston Street, in the Jewellery Quarter to the centre, to give the hundreds of thousands of fans who lined the streets their chance to see the gleaming trophy as up close and personal as possible.
Villa fans turned out in their masses, to celebrate their team’s first major trophy since 1996. And having landing back at Birmingham International Airport, they headed to the city centre to celebrate with supporters as they paraded the trophy. “This was an opportunity for those who missed out on being in Istanbul to be part of the team’s homecoming – and we couldn’t wait to bring the trophy home to you,” the club said in a statement.
The club said that the players were set to have a full training session today, before travelling up tomorrow before Sunday’s final Premier League match against Manchester City.
