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Rafa Benitez agrees with Fabio Capello about Aston Villa as he spills secret
Rafa Benitez has joined the chorus of praise for Aston Villa over their perfect start in the Champions League.
Unai Emery’s side have shocked the rest of Europe by winning all three of their opening matches in the competition without conceding a single goal. They set the tone with a 3-0 win at Young Boys and have since defeated Bayern Munich 1-0 and Bologna 2-0 at Villa Park.
Their 100 percent record puts them top of the early standings in the Champions League opening phase alongside Premier League rivals - and one of Benitez’s former clubs - Liverpool, who have also won three out of three matches. Villa sit top courtesy of their superior goal difference.
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Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Benitez explained what he thinks is the two English clubs' secret to success in the competition so far. “Those who more than any other have been able to build a balance, attack and yet cover themselves with intelligence, with speed,” he said.
“A winning philosophy, a team maturity that is striking. They are not at full points by chance, they both (Villa and Liverpool) deserved it against Bologna and in Leipzig, they did not overdo it, but they imposed their bursting personality.”
Villa will face Club Brugge away next in the Champions League before hosting Juventus at Villa Park. Matches against RB Leipzig (away), Monaco (away) and Celtic (home) will complete their league phase fixtures.
Benitez's praise comes as former England manager Fabio Capello also lauded Emery's side after they beat Bologna, revealing a conversation with Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano. Capello said: "After Bologna’s defeat at Aston Villa, I asked Italiano what impression he had of the two English teams he faced immediately, Aston Villa and Liverpool. He replied: 'They run, they go faster, they have a different pace'."
