Duran scores again as Villa remain perfect in Champions League with Bologna win

Aston Villa continued their perfect start to life back in Europe’s premier competition with a 2-0 win over Bologna courtesy of goals from returning captain John McGinn and Colombian sensation Jhon Duran.

The win sends Villa to the summit of the UEFA Champions League league phase and leaves them as the only side currently with maximum points from three games.

Despite some slick play and regular pressure from the hosts the first half ended goalless. Duran, McGinn and Morgan Rogers all had good chances but were denied by Lukasz Skorupski in a half which left the Italian side much more satisfied at the break.

Villa broke the deadlock early in the second half as McGinn whipped a dangerous free kick into the box from out wide which evaded everyone and found its way into the back of the net.

Just moments later, the hosts doubled their lead as Duran added another Champions League goal to his name by turning in a Rogers cross with a deft striker’s finish.

Villa will next face Club Brugge in the Champions League with the reassuring knowledge they already have nine points secured, while Bologna will host Monaco, with just one point and no goals after three games.

Villa could not have asked for much more from their opening three Champions League games this season with maximum points and no goals conceded; it has been a dream return to the top stage for Unai Emery’s side.

With only one more giant in Juventus to face, it raises the question just how high up the table can Villa realistically finish, and then just how far can they take this fairytale in this new look Champions League.

Duran may get the headlines, but Rogers was at the heart of everything good about Villa tonight. His direct driving runs caused plenty of problems for the Bologna defence and carved out numerous opportunities for his team-mates.

His wonderfully weighted cross set Duran up for Villa’s second, and had his finishing been a little more accurate he could have easily had a goal or two himself.

Aston Villa: Martinez 7, Konsa 6, Carlos 7, Torres 6, Maatsen 7, Onana 6, Tielemans 7, McGinn 7, Rogers 8, Bailey 5, Duran 7. Subs: Barkley 6, Ramsey 6, Philogene-Bidace 5, Watkins 6, Kamara 5.

Bologna: Skorupski 7, Posch 5, Beukema 5, Lucumi 5, Lykogiannis 6, Fabbian 6, Freuler 6, Urbanski 5, Orsolini 4, Dallinga 4, Ndoye 6. Subs: Odgaard 5, Castro 5, Moro 6, Iling-Junior 5.

55’ – GOAL! – ASTON VILLA 1-0 BOLOGNA (MCGINN) – Villa are ahead and it’s the captain who steps up! McGinn whips a dangerous free kick in from the wing, the ball evades everyone and bounces through into the back of the net.

64’ – GOAL! – ASTON VILLA 2-0 BOLOGNA (DURAN) – It’s two and who else but Jhon Duran as he doubles Aston Villa’s lead. Morgan Rogers latches onto a long Diego Carlos ball, he clips a lovely ball into the box and Duran applies true strikers finish to make it two!