John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings as McGinn, Rogers and Duran star in 2-0 win over Bologna
Aston Villa maintained their 100 per cent record in the Champions League by beating Bologna 2-0 at Villa Park.
John McGinn opened the scoring in the 55th minute, before Jhon Duran - who made his second start of the season - doubled Villa's lead nine minutes later. The victory puts Unai Emery's side in a brilliant position to go on to secure qualification for the knockout rounds as they sit top of the Champions League league phase table after the first lot of matchweek three fixtures.
Villa dominated the majority of the first half and came closest to breaking the deadlock through Morgan Rogers in added time. Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski denied the forward inside the box, but it was the Italian side who had made the best opportunities up until that point.
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Emi Martinez was on hand to prevent Thijs Dallinga in the seventh minute after the striker was picked out by Dan Ndoye. The Villa 'keeper made three saves in the first period and faced an expected goals (xG) value of 0.50 before the break.
After Ezri Konsa was fouled out wide by former Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler, McGinn's floated in a free-kick which ended up in the far corner with Bologna goalkeeper Skorupski rooted to the spot.
Morgan Rogers then teed up Duran in the box for Villa's second of the night. The Colombia international got in front of his marker by helping the ball past Skorupski.
Watkins, Jaden Philogene, Jacob Ramsey all got a run out in the second half, as did Boubacar Kamara, who made his long-awaited return to action after over eight months.
Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez made a couple of smart saves early on in the first half. The Villa 'keeper is yet to concede in the Champions League this season. The best in the world for a reason! 8
Ezri Konsa
Bologna's Ndoye caused Konsa a few problems at the start of the first half, but Villa's right-back on the night kept a lid on him for the most part. Konsa also won the free-kick which led to Villa's opening goal. 7
Diego Carlos
Carlos continued his impressive form by forming a strong partnership alongside Torres. The Brazilian fed a couple of a excellent long passes across the park to help unlock the Bologna backline. 8
Pau Torres
Torres controlled the game from the back for large parts of the contest. Bologna often pressed the ball in packs, but that didn't faze Torres. 8
Ian Maatsen
Maatsen's energy gave Villa a different dimension down the left flank. He has impressed off the bench at the start of the season and deserved a chance from the off. He faces a big challenge to win Digne's place in the side on a regular basis considering the Frenchman's form over the past year. 7
Amadou Onana
Onana only misplaced one of the 23 passes he attempted in the first half while also winning three of his four ground duels. It was a solid 45 minutes from the Belgian, but he came off at the break. 7
Youri Tielemans
Tielemans is a top quality footballer. He is so graceful in possession, weaving away from danger and picking the perfect pass, almost every time. Maestro. 8
Leon Bailey
Bailey made Villa's first chance of sorts as he swept the ball across for Rogers, but the Villa forward's effort was blocked. In the 12th minute he had a chance to fire at goal, but opted to take a touch instead which allowed the Bologna defenders to smother the ball. The winger might not be in top form at the moment, but he's certainly not hiding. He'll be fine. 7
John McGinn
He missed the win over Bayern, but this was McGinn's night. He ate up the ground in the hour he played having just come back from a hamstring injury. It was the captain's cross which floated all the way to the far post and into the net. 8*
Morgan Rogers
Rogers is unplayable when he rolls a defender and motors forward. He twice came close to opening the scoring at the end of the first half as one effort flew wide from the edge of the box before he was then denied by Skorupski in a one-on-one. He grabbed an assist for Duran by feeding an excellent ball into the box. 8
Jhon Duran
Duran got his goal just moments before he was replaced for Ollie Watkins. He nipped in front of the Bologna defender to turn in Rogers' cross as he came alive in the box when he got his first sight of goal. He was awarded the UEFA Player of the Match. 8
SUBS
Ross Barkley (for Onana, 45'): Barkley was booked not long after coming on. He was urgent in possession and helped Villa take the game to Bologna in the second period. 6
Jaden Philogene (for Bailey, 63'): Philogene made a few runs in behind and should have been played in by a teammate more than once. 6
Ollie Watkins (for Duran, 63'): Watkins the unfamiliar job of finishing the game rather than starting it. He led the line well in the 30 minutes he played. 6
Jacob Ramsey (for McGinn, 63'): Ramsey was comfortable and confident in possession, helping Villa manage the game. 6
Boubacar Kamara (for Tielemans): Kamara received a standing ovation from the Villa fans after making his first appearance since February after overcoming an ACL injury. N/A
Subs not used: Olsen, Cash, Mings, Digne, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Buendia.
GOALS
Aston Villa: McGinn (55'), Duran (64')
Bologna: N/A