In a rematch of the 1982 European Cup final, Aston Villa emerged victorious once again over Bayern Munich thanks to a second-half strike from Colombian forward Jhon Duran at Villa Park in matchday two in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who replaced Oliie Watkins in the 70th minute, scored the only goal of the game nine minutes later to continue his hot streak in front of goal.
Duran’s outrageous left-footed strike over goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was his fifth goal as a substitute this season, the most of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.
Aston Villa defeat Bayern München 💜 #UCL pic.twitter.com/GydIEwDDoz
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 2, 2024
The two sides battled for most parts of the game, and the hosts thought they had gotten in front in the 22nd minute, but Pau Torres’s poking effort was ruled out for offside, with the assistant referee’s flag quietening the raucous crowd inside Villa Park.
Villa lost two players to injuries. Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana were both taken off and replaced by Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley, respectively.
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Torres played a long ball forward for Duran, who latched onto it before unleashing a magic shot after sighting Neuer off his line.
The visitors looked to mount pressure in the closing stages, but a shot attempt from Serge Gnabry and a well-placed header from Harry Kane were superbly dealt with by Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose heroics at the death all but sealed the win for Villa.
Unai Emery’s men recorded their second win from two Champions League games to increase their unbeaten streak to seven matches across all competitions.
The Premier League side also ruined Bayern’s brilliant record in the group stages of the competition, bringing an end to their 42-match unbeaten streak as they also suffered their first defeat under the tutelage of Vincent Kompany.
What are your thoughts on this thrilling Champions League match? Share your reactions in the comments section below!
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