This is Mr. Europa League, Unai Emerys crazy success, crowned for the fifth time in…

After winning the triple with FC Sevilla and then Villarreal, Unai Emery has won the Europa League for the fifth time in his career, Thursday after Aston Villa’s convincing victory over Firbourg (3-0) in the final.

He reigns as a master of the competition. Spanish coach Unai Emery won the Europa League for the fifth time in his career, Thursday after Aston Villa’s notable victory over Firbourg (3-0) in the final. The former PSG manager (2016-2018) achieved this feat with three different clubs, first making history with a triple with FC Sevilla with three consecutive victories in 2014 (final against Benfica, 0-0, 4-2 on penalties), 2015 (3-2 against Dnipropetrovsk), and then 2016 (3-1 against Liverpool).

He repeated this with Villarreal in 2021 by beating Manchester United in the final after a lengthy penalty shootout (1-1, 11-10 on penalties). Meanwhile, Unai Emery had previously lost another final with Arsenal against Chelsea (4-1) in 2019. There might be a literary reason for this: Unai Emery won the Europa League with three clubs with “Villa” in their name (Sevilla, Villarreal, Aston Villa), keen observers note.

Appointed as Aston Villa’s manager in 2022, Unai Emery led the club to its first European title in 44 years. This success builds on his strong work in Birmingham, taking the team to the Champions League quarterfinals last season (defeat against PSG, 3-1, 3-2).

“My dream, when I started at Villa, was to play in Europe and win trophies, and this is the first one,” he rejoiced after the match. “We reached two semi-finals (in the FA Cup last season and in the Conference League in 2024) and we were close. These experiences are essential for progress. The club lacked European trophies. So, this title brings us joy, but we won’t stop there.”

On TNT Sports, he explained the deep bond he has formed with European competitions. “Europe has given us a lot, and me too,” he added. “I am always very grateful to Europe. For every competition: Champions League, Europa League, but especially the Europa League. We played with great seriousness this year. Extreme focus. And the players showed their ambition. I told them: ‘We need to have the desire in this competition and show on the field that you are the protagonists.’ And they did. Some have already won titles. For others, it’s their first. This final confirms our progress. If we progress, if we play in Europe, if we reach finals, if we win trophies, if we are in the Champions League, I believe our brand image is strengthened.”

While he has never won the Champions League, Unai Emery joins the very exclusive group of coaches who have clinched five European titles along with Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, and Giovanni Trapattoni.

Context: Unai Emery’s remarkable success in winning the Europa League with three different clubs distinguished by the name “Villa.” Fact Check: Unai Emery has never won the Champions League.