Thousands welcome home triumphant Villa as heroes

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Thousands welcome home triumphant Villa as heroes12 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleAlex McIntyreWest MidlandsGetty ImagesAston Villa celebrated their Europa League triumph with a parade through BirminghamA sea of claret and blue flooded Birmingham as thousands of Aston Villa fans welcomed home the team as heroes in celebration of their Europa League cup triumph. More than 20,000 supporters were estimated to have been in Centenary Square on Thursday to see the players lift the trophy – the club's first in 30 years – less than 24 hours after a 3-0 victory against Freiburg in Istanbul. Hundreds more lined the streets, with some arriving hours in advance to pick the best spots to see the team's bus parade through the city.

It was an emotional occasion for fans gathered in the city centre, where claret and blue smoke billowed from flares and flags were flown. Roars filled the air at the end of the parade route when the trophy was held aloft before confetti rained down on supporters. Addressing the crowd shortly after, manager Unai Emery said the team were "delighted" to share the trophy with them.

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Getty ImagesUnai Emery said the team were "delighted" to share the trophy with supporters"And of course we are so, so proud of you," Emery added. "This moment is really fantastic, our heart is your heart, your heart is our heart. "Defender Tyrone Mings also spoke from the top deck, revealing to those watching that he and his teammates had "one hell of a party" after the match ended.

"We celebrated very hard," he said. "I'm sure you guys have too… I just want to say thank you so much. What a fan base, what a set of players.

We are so grateful for all of you showing up today. "Even royalty was caught up in the excitement of Villa's win – Prince William, who was seen punching the air at the match in Turkey, could only laugh when a reporter asked him during a visit to Cornwall on Thursday whether he had enjoyed the football. The parade began in the city's Jewellery Quarter shortly before 17:00 BST, winding its way via Broad Street to Centenary Square.

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Fans' personal stories were revealed along the route. Among them were a group of employees from Krypton Jewellers, who had gathered to wait for the bus on Hall Street. They told the their boss had allowed them the afternoon off to celebrate and watch the parade, with one saying they were feeling "fantastic".

PA MediaThousands of fans flooded Birmingham for the paradeGetty ImagesSome supporters arrived hours before the parade started to get a good spotAnother fan, Andy, said he had been a supporter since about 1980 and had been in the city centre to see the club bring back its last European trophy - the European Cup - in 1982. "I came to that and I'm here now so I can say I've been to two of them," he said. Asked what it was like back then, he said: "Brilliant, absolutely amazing.

I was 17 years old, I think, and it was fantastic.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.