Ex-Arsenal manager Emery's reply came only 24 hours after Arsenal's finest hours to round off his 'villa' mannerisms

By Alessandro Schiavone at Besiktas Stadium, Istanbul

Less than 24 hours after Mikel Arteta's Arsenal clinched their first Premier League title in 22 years, his Emirates predecessor Unai Emery got his hands on his FIFTH Europa League.

The Basque was already the record winner of the competition with four medals to his name, one more than Giovanni Trapattoni who last lifted it back in 1993 in the Juventus dugout.

With the nerves jangling, ex-Gunners target Youri Tielemans brought a flat game into life with a stunning volley in the 40th minute. This paved the way for Emiliano Buendia to set the Villans on their way to a 3-0 victory in Istanbul just before the break. Morgan Rogers gave his side an unassailable lead in half-two to put Freiburg to the sword.

For Emery there was no history to hide behind and no past to protect. All that mattered was cementing his and his players' legacy as club legends with a trophy to show for.

After all that's what the class of 1982 is still remembered for. After all, in 40 years' time not many will remember a run to a quarter or semi-final of a knockout competition. In going the distance yet again, Emery's only failure in an Europa League was with the North Londoners back in 2019 when they were trashed 4-1 by Chelsea in Baku.

Bizzarely, the ex-PSG manager has won the trophy only with clubs containing the letters 'villa' in their name: Sevilla, Villarreal and now Aston Villa.

It remains to be seen which of his former side now conquers Budapest in the greatest club showpiece on earth Saturday week to set up a Super Cup date with The Villa in Salzburg.