Victory parade for Europa champions Aston Villa
Roads will be closed in Birmingham city centre on Thursday as the city celebrates Villa's victory.
The team were jubilant after securing their first European victory in 42 years [PA Media] A parade to celebrate Aston Villa's Europa League final win will be held in Birmingham on Thursday, the city council said. Villa's emphatic 3-0 victory over German team Freiburg saw them win their first major European trophy since 1982. Fans erupted at the final whistle in Istanbul as they celebrated a well-earned win under manager Unai Emery.
The parade will begin on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter at 16. 30 BST on Thursday, travelling through Sand Pits, Broad Street and Centenary Square. Aston Villa said fans would not need travel to specific locations in the city, as screens would be positioned throughout the route.
The parade will have three open-top buses, with the lead bus dressed in blue, carrying media, followed by a claret bus with the players. A third blue bus carrying staff will complete the convoy. A trophy lift will also take place as the centrepiece of the parade, said the club.
There will be opportunities for supporters to engage directly with the team throughout the route, it added. Eight thousands fans in the stadium erupted in celebration the moment Aston Villa were announced winners. John in Istanbul told the BBC the win was everything he had dreamed of.