Aston Villa clinched their third victory of the Champions League campaign on Tuesday night as they brushed aside Bologna.
Unai Emery made four changes to the Aston Villa side that beat Fulham on Saturday, with Ezri Konsa, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn and Jhon Duran all starting.
Bologna started this game the brightest and looked threatening in the opening changes but once Villa rode out the early pressure, Emery’s men put in a magnificent performance.
The Villans opened the scoring early into the second half as McGinn’s whipped free-kick from range evaded all bodies and sailed into the far left corner.
The hosts continued to sustain that pressure through the second period and 10 minutes later, Duran converted a teasing cross from Morgan Rogers to put clear daylight between them and the visitors.
It was the first time in over 40 years that Villa have won three consecutive games in Europe’s elite competition, cementing their place at the top of the Champions League table.
Here’s how the players rated.
Aston Villa vs Bologna player ratings
Emi Martinez – 7
The World Cup winner was forced into a few decent saves in the opening stages but once Villa controlled proceedings, Martinez didn’t have much to do in the second half.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Konsa was up against a tricky customer in Dan N’Doye at right-back but the Englishman stood his ground after the Bologna wideman tested him early on in the game.
Diego Carlos – 7
Carlos was once a liability in the centre of defence however, the Brazilian has turned a corner in recent weeks and continued to look solid alongside Pau Torres.
Pau Torres – 7
A typically assured performance from Pau Torres, as the Spaniard dealt with the threat of Thijs Dallinga well and only misplaced one of his passes across 90 minutes.
Ian Maatsen – 7.5
An excellent outlet for Villa down the left flank, starting in place of Frenchman Lucas Digne. The flying Dutchman took his chance to impress, constantly looking a threat and swinging ammunition into the box.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Youri Tielemans was the best player on the park against Fulham and continued to be the conductor of proceedings for Villa. The Belgian pulled the strings, threading some excellent passes through to his teammates.
Amadou Onana – 6
The midfield powerhouse didn’t put a foot wrong out of possession, using his strength to win the ball back but he was sacrificed at half-time for Ross Barkley as Emery wanted more control centrally.
John McGinn – 8
Started his first game since suffering an injury and was back like he never left. The Scotsman provided relentless energy in Villa’s midfield and rarely gave his opponents a moment of rest, scoring the vital goal from a long-range free kick.
Morgan Rogers – 9
Another magnificent display from the 22-year-old. Bologna couldn’t live with his frightening turn of pace and skill on the half-turn, producing the brilliant curling cross for Duran’s second goal.
Leon Bailey – 5
Continued to look off the pace and often wasn’t on the same wavelength as his Villa teammates in the first half. Was replaced by Jacob Ramsey on the hour mark.
Jhon Duran – 8
Pressed well from the front and contested a lot of his duels against the centre-backs. His link-up play left much to be desired at times but he popped up when it mattered, scoring a poachers goal in the box.
