Thousands of Aston Villa fans have filled Birmingham's streets for a jubilant celebration of the club's Europa League victory
The screens and barriers are already stowed away and remnants of confetti now cover Birmingham's Centenary Square
Earlier the team has lifted the Europa League trophy to cheers - Tyrone Mings has said the last 24 hours were "one hell of a party"
Fans have turned out with flags and flares as they celebrate the club's first major European trophy since 1982
"I'm just over the moon, it means everything", one fan tells the BBC, while another says "it was the best night of my life"
Kevin Reide
in Birmingham
There are now also hundreds of fans gathered at the city's historic Chamberlain clock in the Jewellery Quarter, where the parade gets under way later this afternoon.
Image source, Getty ImagesWhen Aston Villa's parade kicks off later this afternoon, fans gathered on the route through Birmingham will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the Europa League trophy.
The heaviest of all Uefa silverware, it weighs in at 15kg.
It stands 65cm high, is 33cm wide and 23cm deep.
The trophy was designed and crafted by the Bertoni workshop in Milan, and stands on a yellow marble plinth.
But there's a catch. According to Uefa, the original trophy remains with the organisation at all times, with Villa instead awarded a full-size replica.
Image source, Getty Images
Megan Jones
in Birmingham
Mandy, Andy and Luke are among the supporters eagerly waiting for the parade to begin.
Andy said he had been a Villa fan since about 1980 and was in Birmingham to see the club bring back the European Cup from Rotterdam in 1982.
“I came to that one and I’m here now so I can say I’ve been to two of them,” he said.
Asked what it was like the first time, Andy said: “Brilliant, absolutely amazing. I was 17 years old I think and it was fantastic.
“It’s a shame this one is not at the town hall because it would have brought back so many memories but this is going to be fantastic.”
Luke said it was “surreal” to see Villa emerge victorious last night after a long period of being an “up-and-down” club.
“It still hasn’t settled in properly, seeing us lift a trophy after so many years,” he added.
Former Aston Villa players James Chester and Alan McInally have joined the crowds in Centenary Square ahead of the victory parade
Image source, ReutersHundreds of fans have already gathered there, turning central Birmingham a shade of claret and blue.
We're doing another quick nation hop, but this time, not to Turkey - the scene of last night's final - but Ghana.
At the same time an open-top bus rolls through Birmingham with Unai Emery's Europa League-winning side on board, a minibus full of Villa fans will be cruising through a village in Ghana to celebrate.
More than 5,000km away from Birmingham the makeshift parade - also featuring 30 motorcycles - will be travelling through the village of Juaben.
Here's a film from our archives in 2020 to explain why the village is home to a huge number of fans.
Why the Ghanaian village of Juaben is home to a huge number of fans of Aston Villa FC.
Rachael Lewis
in Birmingham
More fans are starting to gather on Hall Street, including Charlie, Becky and Vivian who got here early to get a good spot.
Charlie said he was “excited but a bit nervous" to see all the players, and had found the win last night a bit emotional.
"There were tears - it just feels really good", he said, adding "up the Villa".
Meanwhile, mounted police have just passed through as the crowds continue to gather for the start of the parade.
Katie Thompson
in Birmingham
Let's take you now a little further along the planned parade route where the atmosphere is starting to build on Broad Street, with less than an hour to go before the celebrations begin.
The crowds have started to chant and cheer and the streets are filling with fans eagerly awaiting a chance to see Villa lift the trophy in front of them.
Ed James
BBC Radio WM
Let's switch locations for a sec...
Villa fan Jane Bissell is one of thousands of supporters still in Istanbul after seeing the team’s victory last night.
Following the game, she had the opportunity to take pictures with several players while they were celebrating.
Image source, Jane Bissell“It was absolutely fantastic,” she tells BBC Radio WM. “I don’t know how but me and my friend managed to stay out until 1:45.
“We were the last ones in there and I actually got photos of the empty stadium. We were just so lucky we were sat where the players’ families came down.”
She adds: “It was amazing, absolutely amazing. There were a lot of sore heads in Istanbul this morning.”
Image source, Jane BissellRachael Lewis
in Birmingham
Marie, Ethan, George and Silvie will be among the first to welcome back Aston Villa as they grab a spot on Hall Street.
They’ve been here since 14:30 and they all live in Aston near the Villa ground.
The family say they “are feeling good" after watching last night's bit of history.
"The team has had ups and downs," said George, "but they’ve had a really good season.”
But take another look at that photo above and now this one from 44 years ago....
Silvie used to be a Villa steward back in the day, and shared this photo of her with the 1982 European Cup trophy.
Lovely to reminisce, but we must get back to the 21st Century....
Sam Harrison
in Birmingham
We told you a moment ago about the Branston Street starting point for today's celebrations.
Fans were out hours ago to bag the best spot possible for the parade.
The first to get there were husband and wife Colin and Gail Evans. They’ve bagged a prime spot for what they say will be an emotional afternoon.
Gail Evans’s father was a lifelong Villa fan and left behind his treasured scarf and badge after he died. Both are being worn by the couple today.
“I shall probably cry,” she says. “It’s amazing. We’ve waited so long.”
Colin Evans says they deliberately wanted to get a great view: “We dropped the dog off at the mother-in-law’s to get a decent spot… it feels absolutely fabulous.”
He explains that it was a strange feeling to win European silverware once more.
“You want it but you don’t know wholly expect it,” he says. “It’s emotional.”
Okay.... as Tielemans proved with last night's opening goal, timing is everything....
So here's some all-important numbers for you...
We're just over an hour away from the start of the parade on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter, where people have started to gather.
The parade is expected to last between 60 and 90 minutes as it winds its way through Brum, with a bit of continental silverware not seen in these parts for more than 40 years.
From the JQ start, the players will head via Broad Street to Centenary Square.
We're expecting a moment when the squad will lift the trophy, but we're not sure where that is going to be yet. Stand by...
Spectators can watch a live feed of the parade at screens which have been set up along the route, and you'll also be able to watch that here on our live page once under way.
We have reporters posted along the route, bringing you live updates of the celebrations and your personal stories.
You won't miss a moment with us.
The Aston Villa squad has just touched down at Birmingham International Airport - with the Europa League trophy.
They will now make their way over to the open top bus parade route, which begins at about 16:30 BST on Branston Street in the Jewellery Quarter area of the city.
We've got reporters out on the route, and you'll also be able to watch live at the top of the page when the parade begins later on.
Image source, X/Aston VillaA post on Villa's X account reads: 'The Europa League winners are home'
Megan Jones
in Birmingham
The big screen is on and there are hundreds of people now gathered in Centenary Square. Watch that number grow as we get nearer to the team's return and route through Brum.
In the meantime, flags are high in the air, and fans are blowing on - we must say - very loud, multi-coloured horns.
It's true what they say.... you can always hear a Brummie before you see one.
But how are those heads?
Well - and no surprises here - some people admit to feeling the effects of celebrating last night, while others are excited to get a glimpse of their favourite players later.
Navtej Johal
Midlands correspondent
Along Broad Street in Birmingham, one of the key legs of the bus parade route, there’s a star on the pavement to mark Villa’s 1982 European Cup triumph.
Will there be another one added for the 2026 Europa League winners?
Megan Jones
in Birmingham
Fans dressed in Villa shirts and others flying claret and blue flags are already out to secure the best spot for the parade, or saving seats for their families.
Around them, there are last minute preparations happening, with lots of machinery noise and people in high-vis clothing.
A huge barrier has been put up covered in a claret and blue flag opposite the central library.
But never mind hi-vis, let's have a look at the only two colours that matter today.
Michelle Dawes
Sorry to rain metaphorically on the literal parade, but we've been letting you know today of disappointment in some quarters that the turnaround between final win and city celebrations has been too quick, leaving some fans unable to attend festivities in the city centre.
Anna from Sutton Coldfield travelled to Istanbul with son Finley to watch Wednesday's match and said she was "disheartened" to hear the parade was being held the following day.
Image source, Anna"Lots of other travelling fans as well won't be back in time," she said, wishing that could have been factored into plans so people could "witness the glory".
"So its a bit disheartening and annoying really."
Villa have said that due to various factors, Thursday was the only option, with Bank Holiday Monday not possible due to Birmingham Pride. Pride has since said its events are at the weekend. The football club has been contacted for comment.
We've been very "the morning after the night before" today, and with good reason as we round up how Villa fans are gearing up for Villa's return from Turkey following their 3-0 final win.
But let's switch back for a moment to remind ourselves of the scenes from Wednesday evening at Beşiktaş Park where Villa landed their first European trophy in 44 years.
We're not crying, you're crying.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersToday's victory parade in Birmingham will be an opportunity for those who missed out on being in Istanbul to be part of the celebrations, the club has said.
Let's remind you of the parade route with this image below...
Image source, Aston VillaScreens will be positioned at intervals throughout the route, and parking bays on affected roads suspended until 22:00, the club stated.
It added it had explored the possibility of recreating the iconic 1982 European Cup celebrations by taking the players to Victoria Square - as well as erecting a stage in Centenary Square to allow for greater fan engagement.
But due to ongoing works and safety concerns at Victoria Square, and advice from authorities around the risk of overcrowding at Centenary Square, both proposals were ruled out, it said.
It apologised to fans still in Istanbul who would not be able to join in the celebrations.
Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker calls the Villa win "just great" for Birmingham.
"Everyone who loves football just knows that winning trophies is tough, because it doesn't happen very often, he tells BBC Radio WM.
"So these are very, very special moments."
Image source, Getty Images"I'm really proud of what Villa has done for the city, the way they've represented it, the way they've conducted themselves," he adds.
"Events like this give you a lift and a buzz and are irreplaceable - it lives a long time."
Whether you're heading to the victory parade in Birmingham city centre, you were at the final in Istanbul or you're celebrating from afar - we want to hear from you.
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