Unai Emery hails Aston Villa players after Europa League triumph: 'We are kings together'
Unai Emery and Emiliano Buendia speak to the press after Aston Villa win the Europa League
|PA
Aston Villa won their first major European trophy since 1982
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Unai Emery has hailed his Aston Villa players after their Europa League triumph, which saw the Villains beat Freiburg 3-0 with some stunning strikes.
Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, and Morgan Rogers' goals helped Emery's side brush off their opposition, claiming their first trophy in 30 years.
The Spaniard lifted his fifth Europa League title in his managerial career, having previously won the competition with Villarreal and Sevilla.
Speaking afterwards, Emery explained that he hopes it is the first of many, saying: "The ambition of the club is important and how we did the process. With this trophy, we are showing our development as well.

Unai Emery praised his Villa players for their performance in the Europa League final
|REUTERS

Villa won their first major European trophy since 1982
|REUTERS
"My dream when I arrived here was to play in Europe, play for trophies.
"This is the first one we are achieving, we played a semi-final before, and the experiences we are having like today is important with how we can get better.
"It makes sense with this club because after 1982, this club won the European Cup.
"Achieving this one that makes us so happy and proud of the way we are working, but we are not going to stop."

Emery said: 'Achieving this one that makes us so happy and proud of the way we are working'
|REUTERS
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The Spaniard played down comparisons to him being the 'king' of this competition, focusing on the work of his squad.
He said: "I am really proud [and] grateful for competing in Europe, and through the clubs, supporters, and history like Villarreal and Sevilla, I am thankful for them.
"Because without them I am not being successful in this competition. This is the reason I am not feeling the king of this competition, I am feeling thankful.
"We are the king together, and of course, I have my responsibility as a coach to get it."

Emery has won the Europa League five times
|REUTERS
Villa dominated proceedings against the German side, brushing them off with three goals, including two world-class strikes.
Commenting on his opponents, Emery said: "To win is difficult and to play a final is very difficult. How they beat teams before in the semi-final, they deserved to be here.
"They are a good team with a good coach. The teams are here because they deserve it.
"In the hotel we were speaking, we did not think we were favourites for this."

Villa outclassed Freiburg, winning comfortably 3-0
|REUTERS
The Spaniard's success has not gone unnoticed, with pundits and fans quick to praise the incredible job Emery has done with Villa.
Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports: "You could argue that with Pep leaving, he [Emery] is the best in the Premier League. He has the most trophies and the most experience.
"Mikel is at the start of his journey, and has done an incredible job this year. But Unai is in a category with the best of the best.
"The only thing left for him really is whether he can win the Premier League, can he win the Champions League? But to win five European trophies with different teams, probably not favourites, is actually remarkable."
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