Calls for Unai Emery to be honoured with statue after Aston Villa's UEFA Europa League triumph – ‘Best of the best’

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Aston Villa's Unai Emery deserves a statue after winning a fifth UEFA Europa League trophy following victory over Freiburg in Istanbul on Wednesday.

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TNT Sports expert Owen Hargreaves gave Emery lavish praise on a memorable night for Villa, who saw off Freiburg 3-0 to win the club's first major trophy for 30 years.

Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers scored for Villa in Istanbul, to seal a 21st major trophy for the Midlands giants.

And TNT Sports pundit Hargreaves said: "You could argue that with Pep [Guardiola] leaving, he's the best in the Premier League.

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"He's got the most trophies, and he's got the most experience. Obviously, Mikel Arteta is at the start of his journey, and he's done an incredible job this year.

"But Unai is in a category that is the best of the best. The only thing left is whether he can win the Premier League or the Champions League.

"To win five European trophies with different teams, who are probably not favourites, is actually remarkable.

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"You just want to see these guys stay together and build something, because they've set the foundation now. The fans are behind them, and this giant of a football club is back where it deserves to be. Now, it needs a little bit of investment.

"This is an exciting time for Aston Villa, and it's a big summer ahead for them."

Hargreaves also said Emery, who claimed his fifth Europa League title, deserves a statue at Villa Park.

"Get the statue ready. Get it outside, honestly. He deserves one," Hargreaves said.

"The transformation of this football club in three-and-a-half years has been nothing short of remarkable.

"It was a masterclass from Unai Emery, from these players. The quality of the goals was remarkable. A brilliant performance."

Tielemans and Buendia scored two glorious goals in the first half for Villa. The first goal came when a Lucas Digne corner found Morgan Rogers, and his cross was met superbly by Tielemans, who smashed it low into the net.

Hargreaves said: "The detail and execution of it is immaculate. What a goal to score in a European final.

"How good a volleyer is he? Incredible quality. The set-piece coach is going to be asking for a raise."

'Surely that's the Europa League' - Rogers strike puts Villa in total control of final

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Former Villa midfielder and TNT Sports pundit Stiliyan Petrov also took great delight in that opening goal, saying: "We've seen how strong Aston Villa are with set-pieces, we know much they prepare.

"It was the perfect execution, the perfect way to open the scoring. We needed something special."

Ally McCoist, on commentary for TNT Sports, said: "My goodness. What a goal, what a strike. Everything about it - believe me - is absolutely rehearsed.

"The ball is deliberately put into that area for him. Lovely job. What a goal. Beautiful. Look at that technique. Everything worked to perfection."

The first goal was special enough, but the strike for the second was probably even better, as Buendia curled delightfully into the corner to put Villa in dreamland.

Hargreaves was purring as he said: "Great run from Buendia. Brilliant finish. The goals are just too good."

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TNT Sports pundit Fara Williams said: "The awareness from Buendia there. He goes to make a channel run, and actually recognised there's space.

"Freiburg haven't thrown an extra defender out. There's an overload here. He's in a beautiful position, and it is so beautiful to watch."

Let the celebrations begin! Villa lift the Europa League trophy

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The two goals just before the interval put Villa in charge, and Rogers added a third just before the hour mark to seal a famous victory.

Villa are one of English football's great institutions, but since their double of league title in 1981 and European Cup in 1982, it's been slim pickings for the Midlands giants, two League Cups aside.

That will all be forgotten right now as thousands of Villa fans in Istanbul and back at home in Birmingham enjoy a very long party.

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