The Europa League trophy was displayed in Birmingham city centre today, and Aston Villa are now determined to ensure it returns for good after the final.
Trophy Tour Comes to Birmingham
The silverware was showcased as part of a sponsorship tour organized by Flixbus, which also featured the Conference League trophy. The timing proved impeccable, arriving just hours after Villa's stunning 4-0 second-leg semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest last night.
That win overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, booking Villa's first European final since 1982. Former Villa player Robert Pirès, who made 12 appearances for the club in the 2010-11 season, was present to oversee the trophies.
Fan Celebrations and Ticket News
The trophy tour included musical performances, match ticket competitions, and interactive football challenges. Villa fans celebrated long into the night after the semi-final triumph.
Villa have been allocated fewer than 11,000 tickets for the final against Freiburg of Germany in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 20. However, thousands more fans are expected to travel without tickets, having booked hotels and flights months ago, gambling on Villa reaching the final.
The team now faces a crucial task: to bring the Europa League trophy back to Birmingham permanently.
