Aston Villa ready to end 30-year trophy drought after reaching Europa League final

Aston Villa are a game away from their first major silverware since the League Cup in 1996 Unai Emery walked into Villa Park and declared he was at Aston Villa to win trophies. In his first press conference in November 2022, the Spaniard's ambition was clear. It has taken a little over three years but Villa are nearly there. In front of a raucous and triumphant Villa Park on Thursday, the club reached the Europa League final with a crushing win over Nottingham Forest. Germany's Freiburg await in Istanbul on 20 May but few would bet against Emery adding a fifth Europa League trophy to his collection. Villa are a game away from their first major silverware for three decades and a first European trophy in 44 years as they look to try to stand with the club's European champions of 1982. Prince William, a regular at Villa Park, was among the fans celebrating on Thursday night The commentary on Peter Withe's winning goal against Bayern Munich in Rotterdam hangs above the Doug Ellis Stand. In two weeks, Villa may need another banner if they win in Turkey, which would also earn a Champions League return regardless of whether they finish in the Premier League's top five. John McGinn's late