Aston Villa and Freiburg meet in Istanbul on Wednesday evening for the Europa League final, and with it comes the chance to write their names into a list of winners that stretches back well over half a century.

This is the 55th staging of the competition — counting the finals played under its predecessor name, the UEFA Cup — which means there are 54 previous winners to account for before either Villa or Freiburg can stake a fresh claim.

A competition with real history

The Europa League and its UEFA Cup forerunner represent one of club football's most storied trophies. From the tournament's earliest editions to the rebranded era that brought expanded formats and higher-profile finals, the winner's list is packed with names from across the continent — some expected, some genuinely surprising.

English clubs have featured prominently over the decades. Sides from the top flight have lifted the cup multiple times, and the noises out of Villa Park suggest that Unai Emery's squad has the belief and the structure to add the club's name to that roll of honour on Wednesday night.

Villa's European journey this season

Reaching a European final is no small thing, and Villa have navigated what is an increasingly competitive tournament to reach the showpiece in Turkey. Freiburg, representing the Bundesliga, will be no pushovers — German clubs have shown time and again in European competition that they travel well and prepare meticulously.

The market is weighing up both sides carefully ahead of kick-off, and the neutral view is that this could go either way. Finals are rarely straightforward, and with Istanbul providing a dramatic backdrop, the occasion will demand big performances from both squads.

So, how well do you know the previous winners?

Ahead of the final, it's worth testing yourself on just how deep your Europa League knowledge runs. The BBC have put together a quiz asking fans to name all 54 previous winners — no small challenge given the tournament's lengthy history and the variety of clubs that have claimed the trophy across different eras.

It is the sort of quiz that starts confidently enough before the earlier UEFA Cup years begin to trip people up. The competition has seen winners from Spain, England, Italy, Portugal, Germany and beyond, and recalling every single one in order is a genuine test of footballing memory.

  • The final takes place in Istanbul on Wednesday.
  • It is the 55th edition of the competition, including its UEFA Cup years.
  • 54 different winners have been crowned before this year's final.

What happens next

By Wednesday night, that list of 54 becomes either an Aston Villa story or a Freiburg one. For Villa fans making the trip to Istanbul — or watching from living rooms and pubs across the Midlands and beyond — it would be a first European trophy and a moment to rank among the club's greatest nights.

For Freiburg, it would represent an extraordinary achievement for a club that has historically operated well below the financial levels of European football's elite.

Whatever the outcome, the Europa League adds another chapter to its history. The only question is who gets to write it.

Frequently asked

When is the Europa League final 2026 and where is it being played?
The Europa League final takes place on Wednesday in Istanbul, Turkey, where Aston Villa face Freiburg.
How many times has the Europa League (and UEFA Cup) been played?
This is the 55th staging of the competition, counting finals held under the original UEFA Cup name before the rebranding.
Have Aston Villa ever won a European trophy?
Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982, but a Europa League triumph on Wednesday would be their first success in this particular competition.