Aston Villa Beat Bologna To Go Top Of The Champions League

After Aston Villa's sensational 2-0 victory against Bologna to reclaim first place in the league and the Champions League, John McGinn said that the club's aspirations in the tournament know no bounds.

After Aston Villa's sensational 2-0 victory against Bologna to reclaim first place in the league and the Champions League, John McGinn said that the club's aspirations in the tournament know no bounds. Villa were last seen playing in the top division of European football in 1983. Still, under Unai Emery, they have awakened a dormant monster, becoming the only team to win all three Champions League matches. In the second half, McGinn opened the score with a free-kick that went past everyone and into the far corner. Making an unusual start for the Colombian, John Duran continued his prolific scoring pace.

"We don't want to stop here. It puts us in a great position," said McGinn, who joined the club while still in English football's second tier in 2018.

"What we are building here is impressive.

"This is home for me. It is my seventh season here; we've had ups and downs. It has been a rollercoaster. Hopefully, we can keep climbing."

On the other hand, Bologna has won only once in eleven games played so far this season in all competitions and has managed just one point in its first three games.

With their historic fifth-place finish in Serie A and subsequent qualification for the Champions League after a 60-year absence, the Rossoblu were a significant plot point in European football last season.

Nevertheless, they have needed help with the departures of Thiago Motta to Juventus and key players Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee to Premier League powerhouses Arsenal and Manchester United, respectively.

The club has gone trophyless since 1996, and Emery said on the eve of the game that he intends to "break barriers" there.

The Spaniard won easily despite bringing in four substitutes, demonstrating the tremendous depth of his roster.

"We are playing focused and responsible, and the team is progressing and maturing in everything," he remarked.

With five goals scored off the bench this season, Duran earned his first season start in the Premier League or Champions League.

McGinn and England international Ezri Konsa triumphantly returned from injury, while left-back Ian Maatsen was brought in as a replacement, costing the club 35 million pounds ($46 million).

After a devastating knee injury, the French international Boubacar Kamara returned to the game as a late substitution. At the same time, club captain Tyrone Mings was benched for the first time since August 2023, when he suffered an ACL injury.

One of the reasons Emery has been able to lead Villa from a relegation battle to victories against the best teams in Europe over the last two years is the team's potent set-piece attack.

The inviting cross from Scotland midfielder Jamie McGinn broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the second half, finding the bottom corner despite a horde of people in the penalty area.

After nine minutes, Duran scored the game-winning goal from a cross by Morgan Rogers with a crisp finish near the post.

Just seconds later, the explosive striker vented his wrath by punching the bench, indicating his disapproval of being substituted by Ollie Watkins.

However, it did not detract from another unforgettable night in Villa's incredible climb since Emery's arrival in Birmingham.

With five games remaining, nine points could be enough to guarantee a spot in the playoffs.

Villa is now focused on attempting to finish in the top eight and qualify for the final 16 without having to worry about elimination—that honour goes to the bottom twelve teams in the 36-team table.

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