A hoarse Youri Tielemans has revealed how Aston Villa had only one day to practise the set-piece which led to his stunning volley against Freiburg in the Europa League final.
Tielemans scored one of the goals of the season when he struck an incredible volley from inside the area to open the scoring before Emi Buendia struck a wonderful second before half-time. Morgan Rogers then wrapped up the 3-0 victory to secure Villa's first trophy in 30 years and their first major European trophy since 1982.
Speaking after the game about his goal, devised by set-piece coach Austin MacPhee, Tielemans said: "My voice will be gone, but it's all good. We put in a shift, a top performance, we had a great season, and to top it off with this, it's amazing. We only had one day to practice it. We did it on Monday and it went brilliantly tonight, so I am happy."
Villa endured a poor start to the season, but under Unai Emery have gone from strength to strength as the Spaniard lifted the trophy for the fifth time in his career. "It's amazing," Tielemans continued. "It's been a season with a lot of ups and downs. We started so badly. Our standards were very poor. We turned things around which was great. Credit to the players, credit to the staff. We just kept working, kept believing, and we got the win in the end. Champions League next season and a trophy."
The victory marks a remarkable turnaround for Villa, who began the season poorly but grew stronger under Emery's guidance. The Europa League triumph ensures Champions League football next season, adding to the club's celebration.
Tielemans' goal was a highlight of the final, showcasing the effectiveness of Villa's set-piece preparation despite the limited practice time. The team's dedication and belief paid off, securing a historic win for the club and its supporters.
