Following the excitement of the Bayern Munich game I didn’t think I would be as excited about Bologna but I was. As I woke game day, I had the same feelings I had on the morning of Munich and couldn’t wait until I finished work and could meet friends for a drink before kick-off.
When the draw was made for the Champions League, this was one of three games I pinpointed that we needed to be looking at winning. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Villa to finish Game 3 on maximum points without conceding a single goal.
There was a good friendly atmosphere around the ground before kick-off. Villa and Bologna’s fans mixed with the Italians seeming as excited as we were about being in club football’s most prestigious competition.
And then the famous anthem rang around Villa Park once again…… THE CHAMPIONS!!!
Unai Emery made four changes to the side that beat Fulham in the Premier League at the weekend. Jhon Durán got his long-awaited start as Ollie Watkins was rested. Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa came in for Lucas Digne, Jacob Ramsey, and Matty Cash, who all dropped to the bench. Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Bouba Kamara were also named among a strong substitutes bench.
The game got off to a fast start with both sides looking to put their stamp on the game and the visitors had the first chance of note when Thijs Dallinga came close but was denied by Emi Martínez.
As the game went on, Villa began to take control of the game with both Durán and McGinn coming close for Villa before the half-time interval.
The home side came out for the second half as they finished the first, on the front foot and in total control and it took 10 minutes before the deadlock was finally broken.
It came from a set-piece and wasn’t a Villa set-piece special it was far from spectacular. McGinn whipped the ball into the box from a free-kick and the ball evaded both sets of players and into the far corner of the goal.
Nine minutes later the points were secured when our very own goal machine Durán doubled Villa’s lead. Sadly the headlines were focused more on the Columbians’ tantrum after being substituted Villa managed to secure all three points to remain unbeaten.
Unai Emery: “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 gameplan and we did fantastic.”
Vincenzo Italiano: “They [Villa] have a high intensity and they are physically strong. When they counter-attack, they can turn a game around. They are of a very high level and I think as we played against Liverpool and Aston Villa, we have some good hints.
“Having said this, they are two very high-level teams – they will go very far.”
Next up for Villa is Bournemouth at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.
