Europa League: What I told Aston Villa players before 3-0 win against Freiburg – Emery

Aston Villa boss, Unai Emery, has opened up about the pre-match talk that motivated his side’s commanding 3-0 Europa League final victory against Freiburg on Wednesday.

Goals from Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, and Morgan Rogers sealed the win for the Premier League side against the Bundesliga outfit in Turkey.

Speaking to TNT Sports post-match, the Spanish coach revealed he told his players that they needed desire and to show it on the field before they triumphed over Freiburg.

“We played in a very serious way this year, so focused, and of course, the players – they showed their desire,” Emery said.

“I told them [my players]: ‘We need desire in this competition and show it on the field. You are the protagonists.’ And they did it,” he said.