Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna

Aston Villa continued their 100 per cent start to the UEFA Champions League courtesy of a 2-0 victory over Bologna at Villa Park.

The hosts finally broke the Italian side’s resistance in the 55^th minute as captain John McGinn’s inswinging free-kick evaded everyone in the penalty area and nestled in the far corner.

Jhon Durán soon doubled Villa’s advantage with a well-taken finish from Morgan Rogers’ cross, while Bologna skipper Sam Beukema headed against the woodwork late on, as Villa claimed the spoils on matchday three.

The triumph leaves Unai Emery’s side on a maximum nine points following wins over BSC Young Boys and Bayern Munich, having recorded three successive clean sheets in the process.

In doing so, Villa become only the third side since the competition’s rebrand in 1992/93 to register such an achievement in their opening three matches.

Boubacar Kamara made his welcome return as a second-half substitute while Tyrone Mings was also named in the matchday squad.

The impressive victory, in what was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, ensures Villa move 10 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Emery made four changes from Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Fulham. Durán and Ian Maatsen were handed their first Champions League starts, while McGinn and Ezri Konsa also returned to the XI and Pau Torres enjoyed his 50^th appearance for the club.

Another fervent atmosphere greeted the two sides as they emerged under the lights in B6, with fireworks, flames, a Holte End tifo and a Champions League-themed fan display in the stands.

But it was Emi Martínez who was first called into action to deny Thijs Dallinga after seven minutes.

Villa enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening quarter and were probing in the final third, Durán’s glancing header from Youri Tielemans’ corner forcing a reflex parried save from Lukasz Skorupski.  

Martínez comfortably collected from Dallinga while, at the other end, the hosts were getting into dangerous positions courtesy of some excellent neat interchange passing, only to be denied by a stubborn Bologna rearguard.

Villa continued to dominate and Rogers twice went close to a breakthrough prior to the interval, firing narrowly wide from 25 yards before being thwarted by Skorupski as it remained goalless at half-time.

Ross Barkley replaced Amadou Onana for the start of the second period, and Leon Bailey almost opened the scoring within minutes of the restart as his close-range effort flew just inches wide.

Stefan Posch dragged narrowly off target for the visitors before Villa finally got the reward they deserved.

McGinn delivered an inswinging free-kick from the right wing which evaded everyone in a crowded penalty area and flew beyond Skorupski into the far corner.

And Villa soon doubled their advantage as Rogers latched on to Diego Carlos’ ball over the top into the left channel and delivered a pin-point cross for Durán, who expertly converted on the turn from six yards.

It proved to be the Colombia international’s final touch as manager Emery turned to Jacob Ramsey, Jaden Philogene and Ollie Watkins off the bench.

Villa pressed for further reward but it was Bologna who came closest as Beukema headed against the upright late on, while sub Ramsey was denied by Skorupski in the final action of the encounter.

The full-time whistle was greeted with celebratory scenes and ensured Emery’s Villa have now won eight of their nine European matches at Villa Park over the previous 14 months.