Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna: John McGinn makes goalscoring return from injury, while Jhon Duran nets again as Villans maintain perfect start to maiden Champions League campaign
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Second-half goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran saw Aston Villa maintain a perfect start to their Champions League campaign against Bologna.
The Italian side, who suffered defeat by Liverpool in their last outing in the competition, proved to be stern opposition in the first period and restricted Unai Emery‘s side to few chances.
But the home side kept up the pressure after the break and were rewarded with McGinn’s opener on his first start in six games. Duran, in from the start on Tuesday night, showed his goalscoring exploits are not confined to substitute appearances as he pounced in the area to double the lead in the 64th-minte.
The Colombian’s goal was his seventh of the season on a night when Emery showed his experience leading a side in European competition. The Villa boss made four changes from the side that earned an impressive away win against Fulham on Saturday.
Villa join Leicester City as the only teams to have won their first three matches in the Champions League. The side travel to Club Brugge in their next fixture, with confidence they can clinch a top-eight spot in the League Phase that will see them advance to their last-16. More to follow.
John McGinn scored on his first start since returning from injury to put Aston Villa ahead against Bologna
The home side doubled their lead shortly after the hour with a well-taken goal from John Duran
The Colombian netted his seventh goal of the campaign after being handed the start by Unai Emery
