Freiburg vs Aston Villa preview: Teams news and where to watch the Europa League final
Team news, injury updates, probable starting line-ups, match prediction probabilities and where to watch the upcoming Europa League decider between Freiburg and Aston Villa
History beckons in Istanbul this Wednesday night as Freiburg lock horns with Aston Villa in the 2026 Europa League final with kick-off at the Beşiktaş Park (Tüpraş Stadium) set for 21:00 CEST (20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.).
For Julian Schuster’s Freiburg, this is the grandest night in the club’s history, as the German side are set to dispute their first-ever European final. Having finished seventh in the Bundesliga, a historic triumph in Turkey would catapult them straight into the Champions League for the first time.
For Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, it is a chance to claim their first major continental trophy since the legendary 1982 European Cup triumph, validating a sensational modern ascent under their resident Europa League specialist.
Emery has now made six Europa League finals with four different clubs, having won the trophy three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, while losing one with Arsenal.
Team news & injury updates
SC Freiburg
Yuito Suzuki is sidelined through injury, but Max Rosenfelder and Patrick Osterhage could be available for the final.
Aston Villa
As for the English side, Boubacar Kamara is a long-term absentee following knee surgery and Amadou Onana is doubtful ahead of the final. Ross Barkley is ineligible for Europe, with Victor Lindelof being a doubt after he was subbed off at half-time against Liverpool.
Route to the final
Both sides have endured high-drama knockout paths to reach the Europa League final in Istanbul.
SC Freiburg:
- Round of 16: Defeated Genk 5-2 on aggregate
- Quarter-finals: Swept aside Celta Vigo 6-1 on aggregate
- Semi-finals: Overcame Braga 4-3 on aggregate (turning around a first-leg deficit with a dramatic 3-1 home win).
Aston Villa:
- Round of 16: Shut out Lille 3-0 on aggregate.
- Quarter-finals: Smashed Bologna 7-1 on aggregate.
- Semi-finals: Defeated Nottingham Forest 4-1 on aggregate
Probable line-ups
Freiburg’s predicted starting XI: Atubolu, Treu, Ginter, Lienhart, Makengo, Eggestein, Höfler, Beste, Manzambi, Grifo, Matanovic
Aston Villa’s predicted starting XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Lindelof, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Where to watch the Europa League final
In the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with live streaming available via discovery+. In the United States, the game is available via Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.
Match prediction probabilities
According to current sports data and analytical performance models, Aston Villa enter the final as favourites, with a 48% win probability.
Freiburg’s fairytale run gives them a 27% chance of pulling off a historic upset in 90 minutes, while the probability of a tight, cagey draw pushing the final into extra time stands at 25%.
