EMERY LAUDS VILLARREAL FOR HISTORIC EUROPA WIN

VILLAREALcoach Unai Emery praised his "impeccable" players for their dedication after claiming the club's first major trophy by beating Manchester United in the Europa League final on Wednesday.

The Spanish side won a thrilling penalty shoot-out 11- 10, after a 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli scoring his side's 11th before stepping back in goal to make the decisive save, stopping United counterpart David de Gea's spot-kick.

It was a record fourth Europa League triumph for Emery as a manager, after winning the competition three times with Sevilla, but marked Villarreal's first piece of major silverware.

"In the Europa League we have been absolutely impeccable. Since the very first moment. Some days we were coming at 06 hours to the stadium to prepare a game for the Sunday. All of this makes the journey (worthwhile)," Emery told a news conference.

"We were talking about enjoying these moments. In the end you are proud to reach the title (decider) but if you don't win, you are sad. Winning is another step, an important step ahead. We do this profession for these moments. We have been able to give joy to many people."

Emery joined Villarreal in July 2020, nine months after he was sacked by English side Arsenal following a poor run of results.

The Spaniard knocked his former club out of this season's competition at the semifinal stage before taking down another Premier League giant in United, but insisted he did not see the achievement as a personal triumph.