Alex Moreno fired Aston Villa into the Europa Conference League knockout stages after a 2-1 win over Legia Warsaw.
The defender’s first goal, on his first appearance of the season following a hamstring injury, sent Unai Emery’s side top of Group E.
Moussa Diaby opened the scoring before Ernest Muci seized on Boubacar Kamara’s defensive gaffe to level.
Victory came after Legia fans clashed with police pre-match, launching missiles and injuring three officers to ensure there were no visiting supporters inside Villa Park.
Around 2,000 fans had gathered, despite Legia having a restricted allocation of 1,000 following supporters’ behaviour in Alkmaar, and were barred from entering the stadium, sparking a row between the clubs with both issuing statements criticising each other.
There was no love lost between the clubs, yet it was a fairly forgettable game.
Four years ago this week Villa boss Unai Emery was sacked by Arsenal after overseeing their longest winless run since 1992.
He lasted just 18 months after replacing Arsene Wenger at the Emirates but recovered to win the Europa League with Villarreal, the fourth time he had lifted the trophy.
Having taken Villa back into Europe for the first time in 13 years, they reached the knockout stage of the newest competition with a game to spare, although need a point in Mostar in two weeks to book top spot.
Legia beat them 3-2 in Warsaw in the opening game in September, opening the scoring after just three minutes, but this time it took the hosts 60 seconds longer to take the lead.
Youri Tielemans sent Diaby clear down the right and with the freedom to cut inside, with Artur Jedrzejczyk rapidly backpedalling, he curled into the bottom corner.
Emery’s side went for the kill and Jhon Duran’s pace saw him tear past Steve Kapuadi and Jedrzejczyk, only to be denied by Kacper Tobiasz before Clement Lenglet nodded the resulting corner wide.
The hosts were in control – with no Legia fans in the stadium – but Villa Park was silenced after 20 minutes.
It was all of the hosts’ own making when Robin Olsen, handed a rare start, found Kamara on the edge of the area only for the midfielder to play a blind pass straight to Muci.
The Albania international, who scored twice against Villa in September, still had plenty to do but kept his cool to lift a fine effort over the stranded Olsen from the edge of the box.
With it, Villa lost their mojo and Legia flourished although it took until three minutes after the break for them to go close to adding a second.
Pawel Wszolek crossed and Gil Dias stooped to send a looping header onto the top of the bar with Olsen beaten.
The escape roused Villa and Tobiasz thwarted Diaby before Moreno grabbed the winner after 59 minutes.
The left back, making his first appearance since May, latched onto Douglas Luiz’s free-kick to hook in from close range.
From then, Villa saw the game out and could have even had a third with three minutes left when Leon Bailey hit the bar after lobbing Tobiasz.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Atletico are 𝐎𝐔𝐓 of the Club World Cup Garnacho wearing Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa shirt and post on social media If you know, you know Unsuccessful hate watch The State of Brazilian Football in a Nutshell.. Pep Guardiola's Man City could face Real Madrid in the Round of 16 of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup — as things stand! Shooters shoot Ple...
Spurs agree shock £5m deal to sign Japan star Kota TakaiPer Alasdair Gold of Football.London, Spurs have agreed a £5m deal to sign Kota Takei from Kawasaki, with the defender set to play in Thomas Frank's first team next season. The 20-year-old was identified by technical director Johan Lange, and is seen as having the potential to grow in the first-team like Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar S...
Manchester United have returned to Brentford with a renewed offer for winger Bryan Mbeumo, sources have told ESPN.United have indicated they're willing to pay a fee in excess of £60 million -- with a higher proportion due up front -- and closer to Brentford's valuation, around £65 million, for the Cameroon international.Negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing for weeks and s...
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star William Gallas believes Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho will return to the Premier League - but on one condition.WHAT HAPPENED?Mourinho is currently halfway through his two-year contract at Fenerbahce, and last month he said he expects to stay with the Turkish giants next season. Last October, the Portuguese did say he was "ready" to head back to the English top-fligh...
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly ‘weighing up’ a blockbuster swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho. Talks between the two Premier League clubs are yet to commence but they are said to be considering whether Garnacho and Blues forward Christopher Nkunku could move in opposing directions.Ruben Amorim is widely reported to have decided that the Argentina international can fin...
Tottenham to trigger Eze's 368M release clause as Frank prepares for Son exitTottenham boss Thomas Frank is to bid for Crystal Palace winger Eberechi Eze as reports suggest captain Heung-min Son is leaving.Eze has enjoyed the best season of his career by helping the Eagles win the FA Cup and potentially get a place in Europe if owner John Textor can work out a deal with UEFA. According to The Mirr...
Donnarumma reveals PSG contract talksGigio Donnarumma has confirmed new contract talks with PSG.The Italy goalkeeper has a deal to 2026 with the European champions and been linked with a move away in recent days.But speaking to reporters at the Club World Cup, Donnarumma has intimated he expects to soon agree a new deal with the Parisians.The 26 year-old said: "We're moving forward, we're moving f...
Fenerbahce making 'serious progress' in Jadon Sancho talksJadon Sancho could be set to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce as Jose Mourinho's side make 'serious progress' in talks with the winger.The 25-year-old has no future at Man United having spent the last 18-months on loan with Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea.Italian giants Napoli and Juventus have been heavily linked with a move for Sancho but he ...
Liverpool eye Malick Fofana as Federico Chiesa replacementLiverpool are reportedly prioritizing a move for Lyon winger Malick Fofana with Federico Chiesa likely to return to Italy in the summer transfer window.Chiesa, 27, is increasingly likely to leave Liverpool after just one season with several clubs across Italy interested in bringing him home.Napoli, Roma, Inter, AC Milan and Atalanta have al...
Man United 'make contact' with Chelsea over 352 million flopMan United have reportedly made contact with Chelsea over a potential move for forward Christopher Nkunku in the summer transfer window.The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Enzo Maresca, playing primarily in their Europa Conference League campaign.According to L'9quipe, Man United are interested in of...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car
- 9 Stunning influencer reveals she’s had death threats
- 10 Premier League fixtures: Man City learn dates for 2025-26 campaign