As returns to the biggest club stage go, Aston Villa’s went rather swimmingly, the substitute Jhon Durán nonchalantly putting Bayern Munich to bed with a stunning, off-the-cuff lob. This was a night that guaranteed a sense of mystique regardless of result and as the Champions League anthem filled the Villa Park air for the first time, the ground fell almost silent, the home supporters opening their ears in unison to drink it all in.
Despite well-documented prices this was the hottest ticket in town and the joyous scenes at the final whistle showed why. Emiliano Martínez, a couple of minutes after preventing Harry Kane from heading in a stoppage-time equaliser, thumped the ground with his gloves and as the first beats of Hi Ho Silver Lining kicked in, a beaming Unai Emery hotfooted it down the touchline applauding the supporters who worship him.
It was all in stark contrast to Bayern’s players who trudged off in long cream coats akin to sleeping bags and were at the mercy of another compelling Durán moment. He is building quite the showreel. Durán has now scored five goals off the bench this season – four winners – but given his screamer here against Everton his latest strike may have to settle for a podium finish. Pau Torres had a first-half goal disallowed for offside but Durán again stepped off the bench to earn Villa victory, prompting Prince William on to his feet from the swankier seats, and maintain their 100% start to this competition. After 41 years away, they seem intent on making up for lost time.
This was the second meeting between these sides, the first a notable one – of the same scoreline – in the 1982 European Cup final. Fittingly, pre-match the stadium speakers blared the Beautiful South’s Rotterdam, a not-so-subtle nod to Villa’s triumph, remembered so fondly in these parts. Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, and Damian Vidagany, the director of football, spent Tuesday evening rolling back the years with many of the squad from ‘82. To christen Villa’s return to the European top table a new mural featuring Peter Withe, the late Gary Shaw, Emery, Martínez and Ollie Watkins was painted on an end-of-terrace house off Holte Road, which flanks the Trinity Road Stand.
This always promised to be an occasion that would evoke emotions and memories. Commentary of Withe’s winner was immortalised on a banner that until being moved directly opposite the dugouts this season as part of the Villa Park close-season upgrade had been part of the furniture in the North Stand. The locals gave those who travelled from Bavaria a warm Brummie welcome before Michael Olise took kick-off. “Who the fucking ‘ell are you?” they sang by way of an introduction.
Bayern, of course, are six-time winners, imperious opposition and a European superpower. Kane was deemed fit enough to lead the line after shaking off an ankle problem sustained against Bayer Leverkusen but cut a frustrated figure throughout, none more so than when Serge Gnabry blasted a wayward shot over from a tight angle rather than unselfishly squaring the ball, and he was fortunate to avoid a booking for a bump on Morgan Rogers approaching the half-time interval. Villa’s supporters roared with relief when Kane fired a free-kick wide in the 95th minute and then moments later he sent a header goalwards, only for a panicked Martínez to push the ball to safety.
With 22 minutes played the England captain was among the sullen visiting players marching back towards halfway. Villa’s supporters had gone berserk at Torres prodding past Manuel Neuer after picking up Jaden Philogene’s majestic killer touch from a recycled free-kick, only for Jacob Ramsey, forced off through injury a few minutes later, to be ruled offside by VAR. The free-kick itself, awarded for Dayot Upamecano upending Watkins, was emblematic of one of the themes of a lively first half. Upamecano looked deeply uncomfortable against Watkins.
It was Joshua Kimmich who fashioned Bayern’s first opening, floating a wonderful cross towards the back post for Gnabry, who on that occasion failed to release Kane. Olise triggered a fine save from Martínez after curling a shot at goal from 20 yards and for Villa, Rogers and Watkins had their moments. At one point Rogers collected the ball on the half-turn and steamrolled clear of three black Bayern shirts, before freeing Watkins to his left. Watkins squared the ball but Alphonso Davies intervened, clearing as far Amadou Onana, whose shot bobbled towards Neuer.
The half-time introduction of Jamal Musiala in place of the ineffective Kingsley Coman earned Bayern more control. More touches, more probing and Bayern’s first tangible opening of the second half on 65 minutes. Musiala powered clear of three claret and blue shirts and played a neat one-two with Kane before his snatched shot was blocked by Torres.
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Emery, meanwhile, took the unusual step of substituting the substitute, Ian Maatsen replacing Leon Bailey. Then a more typical Villa change followed on 70 minutes, Durán replacing Watkins as Emery sought another timely intervention from his super sub. Of course, it arrived, and so effortlessly, too.
Torres zipped a pass towards the 20-year-old, who got close enough to Upamecano just to get his bearings before thumping a bouncing ball over an exposed Neuer. Durán’s record now reads six goals from nine matches this season. Just like Withe’s in ‘82, Villa supporters will not forget this unerring strike in a hurry.
• This article was amended on 3 October 2024. The banner depicting commentary of Peter Withe’s 1982 winning goal was until this season a fixture on Villa Park’s North Stand, not the Holte End.
