Young Boys vs Aston Villa LIVE: Champions League score and ...
Unai Emery takes charge of Aston Villa’s first match in the European top-flight
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Aston Villa are back in Europe’s top competition for the fist time since 1983 with this season’s campaign technically being their first in the Champions League following the 1992/93 rebrand. Unai Emery’s team finished fourth in the Premier League last year after a superb campaign and a tense finish saw them edge out Tottenham for the final spot.
Villa are the 11th English team to feature in the Champions League and will have their work cut out for them. In a revamped format that sees teams competing for different league positions, Villa - who kick off their campaign tonight against Young Boys - will also take on the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich and Celtic in this first stage of the tournament.
Emery’s side will look to build on their run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals last year and will take plenty of momentum into the match having come from two goals down to beat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park on Saturday. In contrast Young Boys lost their opening three league games of the season and sit bottom of the Swiss Super League so should be low on confidence.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
80 mins: As expected Jhon Duran’s goal is ruled out because of Amadou Onana’s handball in the build up. It took VAR a while to come to decision and the move went through several passes before Duran scored.
Another harsh decision going against Villa.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:28
That’s a glorious goal!
Amadou Onana controls the ball with his hand in the middle of the pitch before working the ball up to Jhon Duran. He whips the ball out to Jacob Ramsey who strides forward and carries the ball up to the side of the penalty area.
He passes it back to Duran who sidefoots his shot wide of the post and curls it back into the net!
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:26
74 mins: There’s a bit of momentum building up for Young Boys here. If they score things will start to become very awkward for Villa.
Martinez clings on to another shot with this one bobbling up off the turf.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:22
71 mins: Save!
Emi Martinez is called into action after a poor pass from Diego Carlos. He passes it straight to Silver Ganvoula who checks to the right and pings a shot towards goal.
Martinez leaps to the left and gets two strong hands to the ball palming it away!
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:19
69 mins: Jacob Ramsey takes a knock and needs a bit of treatment before striding off to the side of the pitch. He seems to be fine though and will come back on.
Over in the dugout, Ollie Watkins is pictured with an ice pack on his ankle. He doesn’t look too concerned about it though.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:18
66 mins: Save!
Villa break on the left side with Lucas Digne getting forward. He works the ball over to John McGinn inside the box with the Villa captain having a shot blocked.
The ball deflects out to Jacob Ramsey who shoots and sees his effoert pushed over the crossbar by David van Ballmoos!
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:12
63 mins: Ugrinic is one of the Young Boys players still visibly determined to get them out of their current predicament. His cross into the penalty area have been superb all night and he just needs a teammate to get close to one of them.
Villa have been equally solid in defence though with Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres marshalling the back line expertly.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:09
60 mins: An hour played in Bern now and Young Boys seem very frustrated. Ollie Watkins is coming off now with Jhon Duran brought on instead.
Duran has eight goals for Villa with seven of them coming off the bench.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:07
57 mins: Young Boys have turned to long balls in an attempt to get Silvere Ganvoula in behind Diego Carlos who is now in the right back position.
Carlos has started well though and is quick across the turf, not leaving any space for the forward to operate in.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:05
54 mins: Villa have been the more dominant force since the restart. They’re pushing high, keeping Young Boys defending deep and are winning free kicks.
Elia takes out Tielemans in another dangerous area. Tielemans then takes the free kick and goes for goal but curls the effort wide of the nearest post.
Mike Jones17 September 2024 19:01
