Aston Villa’s fairytale return to the UEFA Champions League gathered further momentum on Tuesday night as they marked Unai Emery’s second anniversary in charge with a commanding 2–0 victory over Bologna to move top of the league phase.
In front of a raucous Villa Park crowd, captain John McGinn set the tone midway through the second half with a moment of inspiration. The Scot whipped in a 55th-minute free-kick that evaded everyone in the box, including Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, before nestling in the back of the net.
The visitors were left frustrated moments earlier, feeling they should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to Villa’s opener, but their protests fell on deaf ears as Emery’s side seized control of the contest.
Villa doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Jhon Durán finished from close range to cap an impressive display on his first start at Villa Park in 11 months. It was the Colombian striker’s seventh goal of the season, underlining his growing importance to the side.
Despite his contribution, Durán cut a frustrated figure after being substituted immediately following his goal, kicking the back of a seat as Ollie Watkins was introduced.
The win extends Villa’s impressive Champions League run, adding to earlier victories over Young Boys and Bayern Munich. With nine points from three matches, Emery’s men sit proudly at the summit of the standings and continue to defy expectations on their return to Europe’s elite competition.
With Villa Park once again crackling with European nights, belief is growing that this Aston Villa side can make a deep run in the Champions League under Emery’s astute guidance.
