Aston Villa’s magical Champions League journey continued as they marked Unai Emery’s second anniversary in charge by going top of the league phase on another European night to remember.
Captain John McGinn, Villa’s longest-serving player, set his side on their way against Bologna straight from a free-kick at a raucous Villa Park.
McGinn’s 55th-minute set-piece from out wide evaded everyone inside the penalty area – including Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski – before landing in the back of the net.
The Italians were upset with Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro as they believed they should have been awarded a free-kick moments earlier.
Villa doubled their lead nine minutes later when Jhon Duran marked his first Villa Park start for 11 months by sweeping home from close range, his seventh goal of the season.
It was his last touch as he was replaced by Ollie Watkins, who was waiting to come on when the Colombia forward scored, with Duran showing his displeasure at being replaced by kicking the back of a seat in the dugout.
Having beaten Swiss side Young Boys and heavyweights Bayern Munich earlier this season, Villa now have nine points from three games as Emery’s side continue to make light work of their return to European football’s top club competition.
Night to remember at Villa Park
This was another night to remember for Villa fans under Emery as their team go from strength to strength under the Spaniard.
When Villa announced the Spaniard’s appointment on 24 October 2022 following the sacking of Steven Gerrard, they were struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League table.
Fast forward 24 months and Villa are enjoying their best start to a Premier League season in 26 years while sweeping all before them in Europe.
Villa did not have it all their own way against Bologna.
When Sam Beukema headed against the woodwork in the closing stages, Emery was seen having strong words with his set-piece coach Austin MacPhee.
With nine points in the bag and five games still to go – Club Brugge (away), Juventus (home), RB Leipzig (away), Monaco (away) and Celtic (home), Villa can start thinking about the knockout stage.
They need another two wins to reach 15 points, which the Opta supercomputer, external believes is required to secure a top-eight finish and automatic passage to the last-16.
Villa carved out 16 attempts against Bologna as they responded to the outstanding atmosphere whipped up by the home fans.
Villa Park was a cauldron of noise by kick-off, with fireworks – as well as an eye-catching tifo featuring three lions – greeting the players when they stepped on to the pitch.
Home fans belted out the Champions League anthem before their team brushed aside Bologna, who have one point from three games.
While Villa are yet to concede in the competition, Bologna are yet to score.
There was applause from all four sides of the pitch when Samuel Iling-Junior, who is on loan at Bologna from Villa, came on for the Serie A club in the 77th minute – the 21-year-old winger’s first appearance at Villa Park.
