Ollie Watkins has hailed Victor Lindelof as Aston Villa's unsung hero after their Europa League final triumph in Istanbul. The striker led the line brilliantly as Villa defeated SC Freiburg 3-0 to secure their first trophy in 30 years and their first European silverware in 44 years.
Goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia, and Morgan Rogers sealed the victory, giving Watkins his first medal as a Villa player. The forward was quick to praise manager Unai Emery and his teammates after the match.
"It feels amazing, to perform like that was unbelievable. I felt like we really controlled the game and we punished them in the end," Watkins told TNT Sports. "I've watched many finals and I think set pieces are crucial, until then it was a little bit cagey. We did have a few opportunities, the game was open, they were going man for man, but obviously we've worked an unbelievable set piece and fair play to Austin [McPhee] for having the courage today. We left four up on the corner, we've just scored for 1-0."
Watkins added: "It's an unbelievable experience though, it's what you dream of. Sometimes you have ups and downs, but we've pulled through in the end, we've pushed on got Champions League football, and now this is so special."
He reserved special praise for Lindelof, who has been playing in midfield recently. "He [Emery] was really calm today in the build-up, which normally sometimes in the league games he's a little bit anxious because obviously he wants us to win. But today he was really calm, and I think that set the tone for us boys. We went out there today, Youri ran it in midfield, Victor as well, he's come in and played midfielder for the last four or five games, he's been unbelievable. Man of the match today, Victor, big shout out to him, he's been unreal."
The victory marks a historic moment for Aston Villa, ending a long wait for silverware and securing their return to the top of European football.
