Aston Villa 1

Jhon Duran’s superb late purpose earned Aston Villa a well-known 1-0 win over Bayern Munich as Champions League soccer got here to Villa Park.

The in-form striker got here off the bench and swiftly noticed Manuel Neuer off his line, lighting up Villa Park on a particular European night time that marked a repeat of the 1982 European Cup closing famously received by the West Midlands membership.

Unai Emery’s facet held agency all through because the German giants have been stored at bay, though it required a dramatic save by Emiliano Martinez from Harry Kane within the closing moments. The victory maintains Villa’s excellent begin to the Champions League season.

• Because it occurred: Villa beat Bayern
• Groups | Match stats

How Villa beat Bayern

Villa thought they’d a first-half lead when Pau Torres compelled the ball in from shut vary however the celebrations have been short-lived due to a transparent offside within the build-up, solely noticed after a VAR verify. On the different finish, Michael Olise had a shot tipped over.

Bayern moved the ball rapidly from the beginning, dominating possession and threatening to bother Villa with their motion out vast however in Ollie Watkins, the house facet at all times had an outlet. Dayot Upamecano, remoted, struggled to cope with the England striker.

Kane, handed match for the competition, confirmed some usually spectacular imaginative and prescient in establishing others, however had few alternatives of his personal till very late as Villa defended stoutly. As a substitute, it was Duran who was the hero, recognizing Neuer off his line as he ran by way of.

It was the end of a assured ahead, gathering Torres’ cross and taking the possibility early. The noise that greeted it is going to be remembered lengthy in these components, notably due to Martinez’s diving saves from Serge Gnabry’s proper foot and Kane’s head.

Neuer has earned his repute as the perfect goalkeeper of his era, Kane worthy of his because the winner of the European Golden Shoe. However it was Villa’s goalkeeper and Villa’s striker who have been the star performers on the night time – a particular one, certainly.

Particular environment at Villa

Villa’s standing as one among English soccer’s grand previous golf equipment was secured earlier than the occasions of 1982, all seven titles predating that European Cup win, however it’s no exaggeration to recommend that a lot of the mythology revolves round that night in Rotterdam.

The highest of the Doug Ellis Stand has the well-known commentary strains from the purpose that received that closing adorning upon it – ‘Shaw, Williams, ready to journey down the left, there is a good ball performed in for Tony Morley… Oh, it should be!… And it’s!… Peter Withe!’

These reminiscences include added poignancy now following the passing of Gary Shaw simply weeks in the past, the native lad who helped Villa defeat the German champions that night time 42 years in the past. The legacy of him and his team-mates was felt keenly contained in the stadium.

Duran delivers once more for Villa

Extremely, this was the fifth time already this season that Duran has come off the bench to attain for Aston Villa. He’s but to make his first Champions League begin and has solely began three video games for Villa within the Premier League however now seems to be an elite striker.

His rocket of a winner in opposition to Everton was fantastic however this was particular in its personal means – and never as a result of it’s already put in as one of the well-known Villa targets of their trendy historical past. It required good motion, decision-making and execution.

Watkins labored tirelessly however Duran poses a barely totally different risk, profitable headers in opposition to Upamecano in addition to testing Bayern in behind. His unpredictability makes in an uncommon match for an Emery crew however it’s working for each of them proper now.

Martinez man for event

Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper would have made an unlikely participant of the match for the primary 90 minutes, nicely protected by some high-quality Villa defending however there was at all times a way {that a} huge event like this may contain him having a say.

Kane’s header arrowing past him into the nook and one suspects some goalkeepers would have been on their heels, resigned to the equaliser. Martinez anticipated the ball’s route and dived to intercept, consuming within the adulation.

Chants from the house help of ‘World’s primary’ greeted him as he left the sector as he revelled within the second. Martinez turned 32 final month, all that is coming to him comparatively late in his profession. However he has established himself among the many world’s best possible.

Emery happy with win over Bayern

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery talking within the press convention:

“Europe at all times is one thing particular, however there’s Europe within the Convention League, Europa League and Champions League. Within the Champions League, you’re taking part in in opposition to the perfect groups on the planet.

“Now Aston Villa, we face groups like tonight. It was not crucial to win, it was how we might compete, kind of shut or far. We competed very nicely. We would have liked to compete defensively greater than regular.

“I can really feel now happy with our work, happy with how we’re right here, getting higher, growing our degree, growing our calls for. Our demand was to face them and compete, with the potential of a win, a draw and even lose, if we tried to lose like we misplaced in opposition to Arsenal three weeks in the past, taking part in with our model, our character.

“You’ll be able to win or lose, it relies on the saves of Martinez, the motion of Duran, however I’m very happy with every thing round Aston Villa.”

Story of the match in stats…

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