Star Manchester United player reaches European cup final three years running despite no longer being with the team.
On 8 May 2026 GMT+7, following Aston Villa's progress to the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League final after a commanding 4-0 home victory over fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the semifinals last night.
This result saw Aston Villa overturn Nottingham Forest with a 4-1 aggregate score to advance to the Europa League final against Freiburg from Germany’s Bundesliga, who defeated Braga 3-1 to win 4-3 on aggregate.
For Aston Villa, this marks their first European cup final appearance in 44 years, since winning the European Cup (now the UEFA Champions League) in 1982. The final will be held at Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday, 20 May GMT+7.
Additionally, Jadon Sancho, a winger on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, has set a record by reaching the European cup final in all three major European club competitions over three consecutive years.
Notably, Sancho has never reached a European cup final with Manchester United, his parent club, since moving from Borussia Dortmund for a hefty £73 million. His European competition record over the five-year contract expiring this season is as follows:
2021-22 season (Manchester United): Eliminated in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
2022-23 season (Manchester United): Eliminated in the Europa League quarterfinals.
2023-24 season (on loan at Borussia Dortmund): Reached the UEFA Champions League final.
2024-25 season (on loan at Chelsea): Won the UEFA Conference League.
2025-26 season (on loan at Aston Villa): Reached the Europa League final.
