Unai Emery praised Jhon Duran after the striker sent himself into Aston Villa folklore by scoring the winning goal against Bayern Munich.
Duran’s 79th-minute goal saw Villa produce a memorable repeat of their famous 1982 European Cup final victory over the German club as they won 1-0 in the Champions League at Villa Park.
The Colombian continued his role of super sub, with a 79th-minute strike his fifth goal after coming off the bench this season, to put his name alongside Peter Withe, who scored the winning goal 42 years ago.
"That''s 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔!" 😮💨
The #GoalsShowXtra team analyse 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 Jhon Duran goal 🤩
📺 Watch on @tntsports and @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/u06juxzf2O
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024
Emery said: “He arrived here two years ago and he is young, his potential is huge.
“Sometimes he has been impatient and I need to speak to him as a person and connect to him as a person.
“As well as a player to try to let him play, putting him on the field because his talent is there and the capacity to help us.”
Emery’s meticulous planning, where they had two pre-match meetings on the morning of the fixture, was rewarded as Duran took advantage of Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s high position to score the winner.
“This is the talent that some players have and when Jhon Duran has the ball he is scoring quickly,” Emery added.
“In the analysis we have of them, we were speaking of how usually the position of Neuer is always high.”
The goal sent Villa Park wild as memories of that famous night in 1982 were evoked, with the Prince of Wales leading the celebrations from the stand.
William briefly spoke in the mixed zone on his way out of Villa Park and said: “I’ve lost my voice. I can’t quite believe it. 42 years.”
Villa’s first foray into the Champions League could not have got off to a better start with two wins from two and Emery is now targeting finishing in the top eight of the new league phase, which would earn automatic qualification into the last 16.
“The objective is to get into the next round,” the Spaniard added. “One is to get into the top eight, and if not you have to play the next round.
“We are not refusing two ways. The first one is to get to the next round and in case we can compete for the top eight is to get to the top eight.”
Bayern, who won their opening game against Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, were not at their best but could have snatched a point at the end, only for Emiliano Martinez to keep out Harry Kane’s header.
Kane was in the side after overcoming an ankle injury but could not stop Bayern losing a first non-knockout game in this competition since 2017.
Boss Vincent Kompany, who also suffered a first defeat in charge of Bayern, said: “We had great chances but we couldn’t score a goal.
“That is football, it is bitter but of course it won’t be decisive for the outcome of the Champions League.
“We just have to carry on working to make sure we are successful.
“I think when it comes to winning or losing you don’t need to take the context of so many years. We lost the game. It has its own story.
“Big chances, we didn’t take them, gave away a moment and in that Aston Villa scored a goal.
“I understand the occasion for the opponent. I am convinced we are a team that will score goals more often than not.”
Dundee boss Tony Docherty admitted his side were “massively affected” by Mo Sylla’s sending off in their 3-2 defeat to Kilmarnock.The Dark Blues took a two-goal lead against Kilmarnock with Ziyad Larkeche and Seun Adewumi on the mark but the visitors stormed back through Bruce Anderson and a Matty Kennedy double – with the winner coming deep into stoppage time.French midfie...
Kilmarnock secured a dramatic last-gasp victory in a William Hill Premiership five-goal thriller against Dundee at Dens Park.The Dark Blues took the lead through Ziyad Larkeche but had Mo Sylla sent off before half-time.Despite that, the home side increased their lead thanks to sub Oluwaseun Adewumi.However Killie pulled one back through Matty Kennedy before Bruce Anderson equalised with Kennedy s...
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe praised Anthony Gordon for the way he handled another return to Goodison Park despite his penalty miss costing them the chance of victory against Everton.The England international, whose departure from the Toffees in January 2023 was somewhat acrimonious, was denied by former club-mate Jordan Pickford in the 35th minute, with the match finishing goalless.Gordon was ...
Lenell John-Lewis continued his fine goalscoring form as a substitute to earn a 1-1 draw for York away at Woking.The 35-year-old notched his fifth goal of the season – all coming from the bench – with eight minutes remaining when he slotted home a penalty after Dan Batty’s cross struck a Woking hand in the area.The Minstermen were trailing in the 55th minute after Raheem Conte&rs...
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s first penalty save in almost 18 months ensured Anthony Gordon endured a miserable return to Goodison Park with current club Newcastle.Gordon was booed throughout the goalless draw following his acrimonious departure in January 2023 but had the chance to make his point 10 minutes before half-time, only to be denied by his England team-mate’s first sp...
Chris Wilder said Sheffield United are ready for a “big month” after goals from Jesurun Rak-Sakyi gave his side an assured 2-0 victory over struggling Luton at Bramall Lane.A goal in each half from the Crystal Palace loanee, who was also celebrating his 22nd birthday, gave the Blades a comfortable win over the Hatters who offered little on the day.Sheffield United drew level on points ...
Harrogate boss Simon Weaver was delighted with the way his team bounced back after their midweek mauling to pick up a valuable point in a 0-0 draw at Swindon.He said his side dug in after the 5-1 home defeat to MK Dons to prove their grit.Following a game of few chances at the County Ground, he said: “I am pleased with the point. It could have been three but we showed good resolve and it was...
Gary O’Neil said he was “devastated” by the “worst performance” of his Wolves tenure after a 5-3 defeat at Brentford left them winless at the foot of the Premier League.A wild first half at the Gtech Stadium brought six goals, four of them for Brentford who fell agonisingly short of scoring in the first minute for the fourth game running.Nathan Collins’ header a...
Mansfield first team coach Andy Garner felt the club could not ask any more from their players as they produced a stunning fifth win in a row by beating Blackpool 2-0.Promoted Stags are sitting in third place in League One after five straight wins at this level for the first time since April 1976 thanks to a first-half brace from Will Evans.“It was another absolutely fantastic performance,&r...
Swansea manager Luke Williams is becoming frustrated at his side’s inability to finish their chances after playing out a goalless draw against Stoke.The Swans extended their unbeaten home run in the Sky Bet Championship this season to five matches but three of those fixtures have been stalemates.Williams feels the changes he has tried to implement in a bid to score more goals have yet to be ...
- 1 Narcis Pelach delighted with four-goal Tom Cannon’s response to weekend chat
- 2 Marti Cifuentes rues missed opportunities in QPR’s loss to Hull
- 3 Potter on Man Utd and England jobs
- 4 Jhon Duran is Aston Villa’s super sub once again as his goal sinks Bayern Munich
- 5 'Kyle Walker and Annie Kilner's marriage is a s**tshow
- 6 Francesco Totti's cheating row with 'betrayed' ex-wife
- 7 Man Utd boss Ten Hag doesn't fear losing job
- 8 Mourinho rages at referee in 'hall of fame' protest
- 9 Pop legend makes shock appearance at Stamford Bridge
- 10 Chesterfield hit back twice to deny Walsall