Players praise set-piece coach who masterminded the goal that sparked win

ISTANBUL — Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans revealed that his superb opener in the 3-0 Europa League final victory over Freiburg was the result of just one day's practice.

Tielemans blasted Villa into the lead late in the first half at the Besiktas Park in Istanbul on Wednesday with a fine finish straight off the training ground.

The Belgian midfielder made a perfectly-timed run to meet Morgan Rogers' cross from a short corner and finished the move with a blistering volley from just inside the Freiburg area.

Unai Emery's side struck again through another eye-catching goal on the stroke of halftime as Emiliano Buendia curled into the far corner from 18 yards.

Rogers' second-half goal wrapped up Villa's first trophy for 30 years and its first in Europe since 1982.

"I feel amazing. My voice is a bit gone, but it's all good. We put in a shift, top performance, we had a great season. To top it off with this, it's amazing," Tielemans said.

"We only had one day to practice, we did it on Monday and it went brilliantly tonight.

"So happy."

Villa captain John McGinn praised set-piece coach Austin MacPhee for coming up with the corner routine.

"I'm biased, but we have a great set-piece coach. We tried to deceive a bit with it. We did it against Liverpool at the weekend. Youri has great quality to find the goal. It'd have been over the bar if it were me!" McGinn said.

Villa's memorable finish to the season also included qualifying for the Champions League last week.

Tielemans admitted their success was a far cry from the dismal start to the campaign, which featured six winless games and only two goals scored.

"It's amazing. It's been a season with a lot of ups and downs. We started so, so badly. Our standards were very poor," he said.

"The way we turned things around was a credit to the players and staff.

"We kept working, believing. We got the win in the end, Champions League next season and a trophy."

England midfielder Rogers added: "It's hard to put into words, we've worked so hard for this. We've delivered and come through.

"It's a great moment for the fans, great for the club. We'll go down in history."

It was a cathartic victory for McGinn, who has been with Villa during bleak times, as well as its recent renaissance.

"I can't believe it, to be honest. What we've been through as a club, this club was close to being in a right bad way seven years ago," he said.

"Tonight was everything we built coming together. The pride I felt with 10 minutes to go, knowing we were about to be champions. I can't describe it.

"To be here as captain of Aston Villa is incredible. It's the proudest night of my career.

"I'll try to enjoy it. I like to party, but I'll take it easy to try and soak it all in."