Europa League final gesture supports Foundation and community
Community
18 May 26
In arguably our biggest game since 1982, the Aston Villa Foundation will become the first club charitable foundation to appear on the front of a shirt in a major European cup final.
A limited edition run of replica shirts to be worn in the final, featuring the Foundation logo, sold out within minutes at club stores on Friday, with £10 from every shirt gifted to the Aston Villa Foundation to support their work with young people in underserved areas of Birmingham.
The Foundation are also running a campaign in the build-up to the eagerly-anticipated fixture, encouraging fans to donate to support their community work in Birmingham, while also impacting communities in Germany and Turkey.
The Foundation have pledged to donate 10% of any shirt proceeds and fundraising donations each to our Europa League final opponents SC Freiburg and final hosts Beşiktaş J.K. to help support their own social and community initiatives. This gesture aligns with the Foundation's own mission of 'Working Together to Enrich Lives', alongside UEFAs 'Strength Through Unity' commitment to collectively use sport to drive sustainable change.
You can support the social and community work of Aston Villa, SC Freiburg and Beşiktaş J.K.
With Betano’s parent company, Kaizen Gaming, the Foundation work closely with the Kaizen Foundation on the ‘Play it Forward’ project.
Since October 2025, the programme has made a positive impact to 805 young people across six Playzone Sites in the areas of Sparkbrook, Stockland Green, Alum Rock, Kingstanding, Bordesley Green and Aston.
Working collaboratively with 12 local organisations, who act as custodian organisations of the playzone sites, alongside support from the Premier League, the Professional Footballers' Association and Birmingham City Council, funding from the Kaizen Foundation ensures the long-term sustainability of the areas. The Foundation further strengthens these initiatives by providing expertise from highly-skilled professionals to sustain the sites and develop skills in organisational development.
ZC, a young participant in the programme, has ADHD and autism, which have affected his confidence, focus and engagement in everyday activities. Initially reluctant to take part in physical activity, he began attending tailored SEND-focused PE sessions at the Playzone, a safe and structured environment delivered with consistent routines and familiar staff. ZC grew in confidence and was encouraged to attend one of the Foundation’s Football in the Community sessions, representing a significant step outside his comfort zone.
His teacher noted he "has grown massively in confidence… (and) now chooses to attend independently". Programme staff also highlighted he "has made significant progress" and "grown in stature each week", with clear improvements in social interaction and emotional regulation.
