The Europa League added another unforgettable chapter to its rich history after Aston Villa FC lifted the trophy in 2026, ending the club’s 44-year wait for major European silverware.
Managed by Unai Emery, Aston Villa became the latest club to conquer Europe’s famous Thursday-night competition, with Emery further cementing his reputation as the greatest Europa League coach of all time.
The tournament, first launched in 1972 as the UEFA Cup, has produced some of football’s most iconic moments, legendary teams and unforgettable finals.
From Tottenham Hotspur FC becoming the first-ever winners in 1972 to Villa’s emotional triumph in 2026, the competition has remained one of Europe’s most dramatic stages.
Sevilla remain Europa League kings
No club has dominated the competition like Sevilla FC.
The Spanish side have won a record seven Europa League titles, including three consecutive triumphs between 2014 and 2016 under Emery.
Sevilla’s seven titles:
- 2006
- 2007
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2020
- 2023
Their dominance has made them the undisputed kings of the Europa League era.
Clubs with three Europa League titles
Several major European clubs sit behind Sevilla with three titles each:
- Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Liverpool FC
- Juventus FC
- Inter Milan
- Atlético Madrid
Tottenham’s latest success arrived in 2025 after defeating Manchester United FC in Bilbao to end a 41-year European trophy drought.
Spain’s dominance over Europe
Spanish clubs have dominated the competition more than any other nation, collecting 14 Europa League and UEFA Cup titles combined.
Spain’s winners include:
- Sevilla – 7
- Atlético Madrid – 3
- Real Madrid CF – 2
- Villarreal CF – 1
- Valencia CF -1
England follows closely behind with 11 titles, while Italian clubs have lifted the trophy 10 times.
Legendary eras and unforgettable stories
The Europa League has evolved across generations.
Italian clubs dominated during the 1980s and 1990s, with Juventus, Inter Milan, Parma and Napoli regularly reaching finals.
The 2000s saw surprise champions emerge from outside Europe’s traditional elite, including:
- CSKA Moscow
- Zenit Saint Petersburg
- Galatasaray SK
The 2010s belonged largely to Sevilla and Spanish football, while recent years have produced fresh winners such as:
- Eintracht Frankfurt
- Atalanta BC
- Aston Villa
- Unai Emery’s Europa League legacy grows
Villa’s triumph also gave Emery his fifth Europa League title.
His record in finals now stands at:
- Sevilla — 2014 🏆
- Sevilla — 2015 🏆
- Sevilla — 2016 🏆
- Arsenal FC — 2019 🥈
- Villarreal — 2021 🏆
- Aston Villa — 2026 🏆
No manager in modern European football has mastered the competition quite like Emery.
Europa League continues to deliver drama
Before 1998, finals were played over two legs, creating fierce tactical battles across Europe.
The switch to one-off finals transformed the tournament into a spectacle filled with drama, late goals and unforgettable moments.
Shock winners, emotional comebacks and historic nights remain central to the competition’s identity.
Now Aston Villa have written their own story into Europa League history, joining an elite list of clubs who conquered one of football’s most unpredictable and entertaining tournaments.
