Jhon Duran showed he is not just a super-sub as the striker followed up his Bayern Munich heroics with a goal from the start against Bologna to help send Aston Villa top of the Champions League table.
Villa could not have dreamed of starting their first Champions League campaign in more than 40 years with three wins from three games, but that is exactly what they have done.
John McGinn joined Villa when they were a Championship club and he netted his first-ever Champions League goal in the latest win that was achieved with such ease that Unai Emery was able to rest and rotate his players.
It is remarkable that Villa have already virtually secured their path into the knockout phase and they must now be aiming for a top-eight finish that would secure a path straight to the round of 16.
They have achieved what Real Madrid, Manchester City, Arsenal and Bayern have failed to do by making an unblemished start to their Champions League campaign. Last night, Villa were the only team with a perfect record.
Duran scored a volley with his final kick before being replaced by Ollie Watkins, who had been given a rest, and then booted a chair in frustration at being taken off as the Villa fans sang his name.
Villa’s ‘captain chaos’, who signed a new six-year contract earlier this month, just loves to be the centre of attention – much to the amusement of his team-mates.
Asked about Duran’s reaction to being taken off, Youri Tielemans said: “He is really funny. The manager does not care. He knows everyone wants to play. It is part of the game.”
Emery has a challenge on his hands to keep Duran happy with Watkins as his first-choice striker, but Villa’s manager has already proved that he is more than capable of getting the big decisions right and he did so again last night.
Watkins had headed a crucial goal against Fulham at the weekend. But with a busy run of games, Emery handed Duran just his second start of the season as a reward for his winner against Bayern. His first start came against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup.
There were cries of “shoot” when Duran received the ball 30 yards out in a similar area to that from which he lobbed Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but this time his effort was blocked.
Duran then forced a good save from Lukasz Skorupski with a header from Tielemans’ corner before almost teeing up Leon Bailey with a flick on, but the ball bounced up too high for the winger.
It seemed inevitable that Duran would grab the headlines somehow, but he had to be patient for his moment as Bologna held on in the first half and the 20-year-old was closely marshalled.
The returning McGinn tested Skorupski with a low shot he may feel he should have scored from and Tielemans had a powerful volley blocked as Villa pushed hard to open the scoring.
Duran looked set to try another shot from distance on the stroke of half-time. But, instead, he played a smart pass to Morgan Rogers, whose effort was saved. Rogers should then have put Villa ahead seconds later after being put clean through on goal, but the forward could not beat Skorupski.
It only took a couple of minutes of the second half for Villa to miss yet another chance, as Bailey pulled the ball wide from eight yards after a set-piece fell invitingly to him.
But Emery’s team made their pressure tell in the 55th minute and it was a goal that prompted complaints from the visitors and Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano.
Bologna thought Ezri Konsa had fouled Giovanni Fabbian before being hacked down by Remo Freuler after he broke up the right. Italiano and Emery exchanged words before McGinn sent in a free-kick that curled over everyone and into the net.
Italiano complained to Emery again, while the Bologna players surrounded the referee, as the Villa fans cheered a scoreboard malfunction that first incorrectly showed the home side to have taken a two-goal lead and then a three-goal one.
A brief VAR check allowed the Villa fans to celebrate loudly again when the goal was confirmed and the scoreboard finally correctly showed that their side were one up. Duran looked set to finish his second start of the season without a goal, but as Watkins prepared to go on, the Colombian netted his second Champions League goal, and his seventh of the season.
Rogers controlled a high ball over the top and crossed for Duran to volley in as he stretched. The Holte End erupted and it was the goalscorer’s final action as he was replaced by Watkins.
Duran kicked the chair in front of him as he sat in the dugout and had to be calmed down by a member of Emery’s staff before he jogged down the touchline and disappeared down the tunnel with a big smile on his face.
It was no surprise to see he was back out at full-time to lap up the applause of the Villa fans who will scarcely be able to believe what they are witnessing. Duran will no doubt believe he has now proved he is much more than a super-sub.
Emery has no problem with Duran’s angry reaction
Unai Emery hailed “fantastic” Jhon Duran and insisted he has the striker under control.
Duran scored with his final kick against Bologna before being replaced by Ollie Watkins and then booted and punched a chair in the dug-out before disappearing down the tunnel. Duran reappeared at the final whistle with a big grin on his face.
Asked if he had a problem with the Colombian’s reaction, Emery said: “No, of course I am managing everything. We are sending the message in the dressing room, respect our values and try to be mature and responsible. Sometimes players react a bit, but it is under my control.”
Asked about Duran’s performance and goal, Emery, the Villa manager, added: “Fantastic. Always it is difficult, but he scored the goal. He was watching maybe his change and he accelerated to score. For us and him it was fantastic. It is good to try and manage. It is the best for the team.”
Emery agreed his team may now have to aim for a top-eight finish that would clinch a path straight to the round of 16. “Of course, we can change the objective and to be in the top eight,” said Emery. “But I want to feel in a natural way, we are doing that but not as a surprise. There are other teams who are contenders and favourites to get top eight.”
10:28 PM BST
Champions League table
At the end of matchday three, here are the top 10 teams:
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Aston Villa – 9 pts
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AS Monaco – 7 pts
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Sporting CP – 7 pts
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Arsenal – 7 pts
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Borussia Dortmund – 6 pts
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Brest – 6 pts
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Benfica – 6 pts
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Bayer Leverkusen – 6 pts
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Real Madrid – 6 pts
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Liverpool – 6 pts
10:26 PM BST
Unai Emery reacts
“We are playing seriously, very focused and mature in everything. We showed it.
“We reacted very well after conceding chances in the first 15 minutes.
“Champions League is very difficult but we had to be consistent in our game plan and we did fantastic.”
On Duran’s goal:
“When he thought we was going to change him, he accelerated and scored a goal – it was fantastic. He wanted to play more as he thought he could score more.”
10:14 PM BST
Youri Tielemans on TNT Sports
“I’m very happy. We got a brilliant win tonight, it was a tough opponent and I’m obviously very happy to get the win.
“The manager is really onto us, he wants us to keep improving, to keep raising the bar every game and we keep learning every game so yeah I think so far we’re doing really well.”
On Duran and Rogers:
“They are different, I think Duran is more of a target striker but he’s good at everything. He can hold a ball, he can flick on – he’s really good, he’s an all-round striker.
“Morgan is more so into the pocket and I always joke with him that he is my pocket, because I need him in the pockets to make those passes. He’s got the ability to turn and help us going forward.”
On Villa’s start to the Champions League:
“It is impressive but we’ve just got to keep going, keep enjoying every game. We’ve got some tough fixtures coming up so we need to keep both feet on the ground and keep doing what we do.”
10:04 PM BST
A perfect start for Villa in Europe
Three games. Three wins. Three clean sheets.
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 22, 2024
10:00 PM BST
John McGinn speaks to TNT Sports
“It’s amazing – obviously I missed out on the last night here at Villa Park [the Bayern Munich game] but three games in, three wins and most importantly for us no goals conceded. So it’s been really good, it’s been a hell of a ride and a journey but we know it doesn’t stop here.”
On his relationship with the fans:
“It’s home for me now, this is my seventh season – we’ve had our ups and downs but the fans crave success, they love to be at the top end of European football.
“Hopefully we can keep climbing, it’s a bit of an ask but lets see what we can do.”
09:54 PM BST
Full-time: Villa 2 Bologna 0
What a night for the home team! It is three wins in three games for Villa in their return to the top European competition.
The English team are top of the Champions League and are yet to concede a goal.
After the first half ended in a stalemate, Villa found their form in the second half with McGinn and Duran producing two excellent goals.
The perfect night for Emery’s men.
09:50 PM BST
90+1 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Skorupski does well to deny Villa a third goal.
Ramsey runs down the left and crosses the ball into the path of Watkins, who waits inside the box.
It should be a simple tap-in for the striker, but the goalkeeper manages to get a hand to the ball and sends it away from danger.
09:49 PM BST
90 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Three minutes of additional time to play.
09:47 PM BST
87 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
The home fans are chanting “we are top of the league” as the teams play out the final few minutes of this game.
09:45 PM BST
84 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Illing-Junior makes a quick break down the left. His attempt on goal is blocked by Diego Carlos and the ball goes out for a corner.
The corner is taken quickly and Beukema heads the ball goalwards. It hits the post and the rebound is dealt with by the Villa backline.
A bit of a scare for the home team there – and Emery makes his frustrations known to Villa’s set-piece coach.
09:43 PM BST
80 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Posch feeds the ball to Beukema whose effort on goal is firmly blocked.
The visitors have not given up and are still fighting for their goal. They are enjoying lots of possession but are struggling to make any inroads.
09:39 PM BST
79 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
The visitors are still pushing for a goal. It’s leaving them wide open at the back – something Villa will aim to exploit in the final 10 minutes of play.
09:37 PM BST
77 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Illing-Junior, the 21-year-old Villa winger who is currently on loan at Bologna, enters the action and receives a warm welcome from his parent club’s fans. He replaces Ndoye.
Tielemans also departs and is replaced by Kamara who receives a big cheer in his first appearance of the season.
09:36 PM BST
75mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
A strong challenge from Lucumi as he dispossesses Rogers and drives towards the Villa box.
Lykogiannis gains possession and attempts a weak shot from the left but it soars across the goal line and doesn’t trouble Martinez.
09:35 PM BST
74 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Bologna have faded slightly in this second half, but are still showing their resolve.
Castro cuts in from the left and attempts a shot but it is deflected away.
09:31 PM BST
69 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
As things stand, Villa are currently top of the Champions League table.
An incredible feat by Emery’s side in their return to the European competition.
09:28 PM BST
67 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Rogers is desperate for a goal – and deserves one for his fine performance tonight.
He pops up in a dangerous area but his finish from 20 yards curls just over the bar.
09:26 PM BST
65 mins: Villa 2 Bologna 0
Duran’s final touch is his goal, as Emery quickly rings the changes with three substitutes.
McGinn, Bailey, and the goalscorer depart the pitch and are replaced by Watkins, Ramsey, and Philogene.
Duran kicks out at the bench in frustration as he takes his seat.
09:24 PM BST
61 mins: GOAL!
Villa 2 Bologna 0 (Duran)
Villa have played some excellent football tonight.
Diego Carlos makes a great diagonal pass from the halfway line, into the path of Rogers who runs down the left towards the goal.
Duran is waiting in the box and Rogers crosses the ball in. Duran is tightly marked but manages to flick it across the goal and into the far corner.
09:18 PM BST
58 mins: Villa 1 Bologna 0
Tempers are flaring on the Bologna bench. The visitors think they should have received a free kick for a foul on Fabbian before the goal.
09:16 PM BST
54 mins: GOAL!
Villa 1 Bologna 0 (McGinn)
The breakthrough moment!
Villa have a free kick which McGinn manages to curl all the way in, past all the defenders and awaiting Villa heads. It skips off the surface, into the far corner and the Villa Park crowd erupts.
What a moment for the home fans!
However, tensions suddenly grow around the stadium as a VAR goal check gets underway…
After a potential hand ball check, the goal is quickly given!
09:14 PM BST
52 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Another player goes into the book as Freuler brings down Konsa.
Italiano, Bologna’s manager, makes his frustrations very clear on the sidelines and has a disagreement with Emery which is quickly settled with a handshake.
09:11 PM BST
50 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Bologna are currently on the front foot, with Villa looking a bit disjointed and ragged in the opening stages of the second half.
The visitors are happy to pass the ball around at the back as Villa struggle to regain possession.
09:10 PM BST
49 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Down the other end, Bologna have a big chance as Posch drives his effort just wide of the post.
He had plenty of time to set himself up for that and will be kicking himself for missing the target. A real missed opportunity for the visitors.
Barkley is booked for a foul in the aftermath.
09:08 PM BST
47 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Another Bologna player goes into the books as Lykogiannis brings his arm up and catches Bailey’s face.
Villa quickly take the free kick from about 30 yards out. It falls to Bailey who shoots and his effort curls inches wide.
A big missed opportunity for the home side.
09:05 PM BST
46 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The teams are back out on the Villa Park pitch and the referee blows the whistle to get the second half underway.
Both managers have made changes at half-time, with Villa’s Onana being replaced by Barkley and Odgaard coming on for Bologna.
08:51 PM BST
Half time: Villa 0 Bologna 0
No goals yet, but it has been an intense watch with both teams creating plenty of chances in the first 45 minutes.
08:50 PM BST
45+1 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Another chance for Rogers!
It’s a frenetic end to the first half as Villa immediately attack again.
Rogers is in behind and Skorupski comes to meet him, about 10 yards off his line.
The Villa player attempts a low finish but it is blocked. He’s been one of the home team’s brightest players in the first half.
08:47 PM BST
45 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
So close!
Duran releases the ball to Rogers, who has a pocket of space and attempts a shot from 20 yards out. It whistles just past the post.
08:46 PM BST
41 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The visitors are dangerous down the left, with Ndoye still searching for a breakthrough.
His attempt is blocked but Bologna regain possession and continue to look for a pocket of space.
They win a free kick just outside the Villa box. It is volleyed in and scooped up by Ndoye who does well to work around Tielesman and attempt a shot.
He is blocked and Villa regain possession and attempt a quick counter.
08:42 PM BST
37 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Despite a few last-ditch attempts, Bologna have done very well so far to keep the ball out of their goal.
Villa have posed more threat but are still struggling to make that final pass.
A Bologna attempt is fed directly into the hands of Martinez, who quickly throws it out into the path of Rogers. He breaks down the middle and manages to weave through the Bologna backline towards the goal.
Bologna regain possession through Orsolini who spins Maatsen and attempts to attack on the counter. However he struggles to break through and Villa quickly regain possession.
Cheers erupt around the stadium as Tyrone Mings is spotted warming up on the sidelines. He has been out of action for 14 months with a serious knee injury.
08:36 PM BST
32 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Konsa runs down the right, making full use of the space in front of him as he travels almost the full length of the pitch.
He passes across to Onana who loses possession after a scuffle just outside the box.
Villa aren’t done though, as Maatsen regains possession and drives towards the box. He tests the defenders with a fine ball which is cleared out to Tielemans. His volley is blocked away.
Technical football from Villa as they continue to search for the breakthrough.
08:33 PM BST
30 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
It is becoming an increasingly feisty affair at Villa Park, with both teams making some sloppy fouls on their counterparts.
There has only been one booking so far, but it feels as if there will be more to follow if tempers continue to flare.
08:30 PM BST
27 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The visitors are still posing a threat and it’s a big let-off for Bailey after he plays a sloppy pass across the face of his box.
Dallinga gains possession and has a free hit from the edge of the box. He shoots straight at Martinez who easily collects.
08:26 PM BST
22 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The home side are really ramping up the pressure, much to the frustration of an increasingly panicked Bologna defence.
They have a few chances in quick succession, with Duran flicking a header for Bailey who awaits in the box. He stretches all he can to try to flick it over the goalkeeper but can’t quite reach it. He falls to the ground under pressure from the defender and a penalty shout is quickly dismissed by the referee
The ball is cleared from danger before McGinn drives forward again. His powerful shot is denied by the Bologna goalkeeper.
08:23 PM BST
20 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Another chance for Duran!
Villa’s corner is powered into the box and onto the head of Duran.
His effort is on target as Skorupski manages to get a hand to the ball and flicks it away from danger.
08:22 PM BST
19 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Orsolini is booked for a challenge just outside the Villa box.
After a few moments spent deliberating about who will take the free kick, Tielemans is the one to feed the ball short, into the path of Bailey.
He drives forward and attempts a shot which is blocked and the ball goes out for a corner.
08:20 PM BST
16 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
A big let-off for Villa as Bologna create a chance down the left. The ball is passed into the path of Fabbian who attempts a shot from the near post. It bounces across the goal line and is very nearly hit into the net by a Bologna player who waits at the back.
The effort goes out wide and the offside flag goes up.
That was a close call for the hosts, with the visitors posing a real threat on the counter.
08:17 PM BST
12 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Tielemans has a free-kick from 30 yards out. He plays it very short to Rogers, who drives neatly down the right and powers the ball into the box.
It’s a great cross and there’s a scramble in the box as the Villa players attempt to get a foot to the ball, with McGinn getting closest. However, a strong block clears the danger for Bologna.
08:14 PM BST
11 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The hosts are playing some lovely football.
Maatsen drives down towards the goal and passes across to Bailey. He has a chance to shoot but opts to feed the ball back to Onana, who hits a clean strike which is blocked by Posch.
08:13 PM BST
10 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
Villa starting to put more pressure on now.
Duran receives the ball from 30 yards out and attempts a shot on goal. His effort is blocked and the ball goes out for a corner.
08:10 PM BST
6 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
A big chance for Bologna. Ndoye – who has started very brightly – times his run perfectly and feeds the ball into the path of Dallinga. He is in behind on Martinez but the Villa goalkeeper manages to get a hand to it and makes an important save.
08:06 PM BST
4 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
A good break down the right hand-side by Villa as the ball is fed into the path of Rogers, who waits in the box. His attempt is blocked but Duran is quick to get to the loose ball and forces an effort from close range.
His attempt is blocked by the many defenders surrounding him and goes out for a corner.
It is dealt with quickly by the Bologna backline.
08:04 PM BST
2 mins: Villa 0 Bologna 0
The visitors putting some early pressure on their hosts.
A perfectly-timed pass is fed through to Ndoye, who drives forward and attempts a shot on goal from just outside the box. It flies wide and Martinez makes his first goal kick.
08:01 PM BST
Kick-off!
The hosts get the match underway as they aim to continue their fine form and make it three wins in three in the European competition.
07:58 PM BST
Here come the teams…
Fireworks are set off and pyrotechnics are on full display. As the teams emerge from the tunnel, a huge display of three lions is draped over the Holte End.
The stadium is absolutely rocking ahead of kick-off.
07:52 PM BST
Home team out on the pitch
07:47 PM BST
Unai Emery’s pre-match thoughts
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the game, the Villa boss said tonight is a “good opportunity” for Jhon Duran, who makes just his second start of the season.
He added: “It is an important moment for him but he must keep his level as high as in previous performances when he was a substitute.
“I am looking forward to seeing him play in the starting XI, he has done it before many times but today is another step up. We need to be able to keep the structure tactically, and try to add minutes to other players.”
07:38 PM BST
John McGinn makes his return
Villa captain McGinn is back in the starting line-up for the first time since his team’s 3-1 win against Wolves on September 21.
He picked up a hamstring injury during that game which saw him sidelined for a few weeks, and made his return to action in a substitute appearance against Fulham at the weekend.
07:21 PM BST
Elsewhere in the Champions League…
These are the scores so far in today’s matchday three early kick-offs:
And these are the other games also kicking off at 8pm BST this evening:
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Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk
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Real Madrid vs Dortmund
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Juventus vs VfB Stuttgart
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PSG vs PSV
-
SK Sturm Graz vs Sporting
-
Girona vs Slovan Bratislava.
07:18 PM BST
Villa player on Bologna bench
It will be a night of mixed emotions for Samuel Iling-Junior, an Aston Villa player currently on loan at Bologna.
The 21-year-old winger joined Villa this summer on a five-year contract, but left again almost immediately on a season-long loan deal at the Italian club.
As the Champions League isn’t a domestic competition, there are no rules prohibiting him from being in the matchday squad meaning he is on the bench tonight and may even get some minutes against his parent club.
Speaking ahead of the game to TNT Sport, he said: “It was a fixture that I looked at and I just feel like it’s an occasion – every game is an occasion, so I saw it as that and I’m excited to play.”
07:10 PM BST
And how Bologna have fared…
Drew Genoa 2 Bologna 2
Drew Bologna 0 Parma 0
Lost Liverpool 2 Bologna 0
Drew Bologna 1 Atalanta 1
Won Monza 1 Bologna 2
A more varied picture for the Italian side, who currently sit 12th in Serie A after eight matches, with nine points.
07:08 PM BST
The form book for Aston Villa
Won Fulham 1 Aston Villa 3
Drew Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 0
Won Aston Villa 1 Bayern Munich 0
Drew Ipswich Town 2 Aston Villa 2
Won Wycombe 1 Aston Villa 2
A strong start to domestic and European campaigns for Villa who currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 17 points, just four points off Liverpool at the top.
06:55 PM BST
Jhon Duran starts, Ollie Watkins on bench
The host’s line-up has had a shake-up following their 3-1 win against Fulham at the weekend, with the biggest change being that Jhon Duran is “super-sub” no more.
He leads the line from kick-off for just the second time this season, replacing Ollie Watkins who is on the Villa bench.
Ezri Konsa and Ian Maatsen lead the defence, while Leon Bailey starts in midfield alongside John McGinn who returned at the weekend from a hamstring issue.
06:51 PM BST
The lineups are in
Aston Villa starting XI: E.Martinez (GK), Diego Carlos, Konsa, McGinn (C), Tielemans, Duran, Pau Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Rogers, Bailey.
Bologna starting XI: Skorupski (GK), Posch, Orsolini, Freuler, Ndoye, Lykogiannis, Dallinga, Lucumi, Beukema (C), Fabbian, Urbanski.
06:30 PM BST
Good evening
Welcome to our coverage of the Champions League as Aston Villa host Bologna at Villa Park.
The hosts will look to continue their strong form after registering two wins in two games in their return to the top European competition.
Last time out, Unai Emery delivered a Champions League masterclass as his side beat Bayern Munich 1-0 and, in the game before that, they thrashed Young Boys 3-0 in Switzerland.
Emery’s team have started positively both continentally and domestically. They have a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions and currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 17 points from eight games, having most recently beaten Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage.
Victory for Villa would see Emery pick up his 25th win in the Champions League – becoming the fifth Spanish manager to achieve the feat after Pep Guardiola, Rafael Benítez, Vicente del Bosque and Luis Enrique.
Tonight will see the two sides meet for the first time, with Bologna travelling to Birmingham with a slightly shakier record than their hosts.
In their previous two Champions League fixtures, they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield and held to a 0-0 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Domestically, they have racked up the draws under new manager Vincenzo Italiano. The team have lost only once in eight league games but have drawn six of them, including a 2-2 result against Genoa at the weekend where they surrendered a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes.
Villa have an almost fully fit squad, with Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings returning from injury after several months on the sidelines. Meanwhile, captain John McGinn returned from a hamstring problem to make a brief appearance at the weekend and will be available for tonight’s match.
Speaking ahead of the game about his team’s opponents, Emery said: “They have started with a new coach who is really playing very well in combination and defensively, being aggressive.
“They played a fantastic match against Liverpool and they deserved more against Liverpool.”
The game kicks off at 8pm BST and we will have team news for you shortly.
