Jhon Duran helped fire Aston Villa to the top of the Champions League table and then reacted angrily to being substituted in the 2-0 win over Bologna.
Duran has made his name as a super sub this season following his penchant for coming off the bench and scoring, including the winner against Bayern Munich last time out, but proved he can also be the main man as he bagged a classy goal having been handed a start in place of Ollie Watkins.
He superbly hooked home in the second half, nine minutes after John McGinn had put the hosts in front at a raucous Villa Park.
But he was immediately taken off and showed he does not like the bench at all as he angrily punched a seat and then headed down the tunnel soon after.
Duran was not around to witness the end of another memorable victory that sent Villa to the top of the standings as their dream Champions League debut continued.
They are the only side to win their opening three games, ahead of a raft of matches on Wednesday night, and with some favourable fixtures to come, Unai Emery’s men have a great chance to finish in the top eight of the revamped competition and earn automatic qualification to the last 16.
Seeing their side top of Europe’s premier competition is a fitting way to celebrate two years of Emery, who celebrates the anniversary of his appointment on Thursday.
The Spaniard took over with Villa facing a Premier League relegation battle and two years later they are now holding their own on the biggest stage.
They were never in trouble against Bologna, who lost by the same scoreline at Liverpool last time out.
Villa took early control and looked dangerous, forcing goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski into two important saves.
First, he palmed away a glancing header from Duran and then shovelled away McGinn’s effort that was bound for the far corner.
It was a case of nearly, but not quite for Emery’s men in the first half as Morgan Rogers came close twice in quick succession as he sent a low drilled shot from distance just wide and then saw Skorupski beat away a shot after Leon Bailey had played him in.
Bailey went close early in the second half before Villa finally made the breakthrough in the 55th minute.
After Ezri Konsa was fouled on the right by former Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler, McGinn sent in a wicked delivery which evaded everyone and went in at the far post.
The lead doubled nine minutes later as Duran brilliantly flicked Rogers’ cross into the far post.
It was his last action as he was immediately replaced by Watkins and he was not happy about it.
Villa went on the hunt for more goals but it was Bologna who came closest to scoring when Sam Beukema headed against the crossbar from a corner with Emi Martinez beaten.
Still, Emery’s men survived with a clean sheet as they are yet to concede in the Champions League this season.
[(Gil Vicente FC) Strength]: 1. Gil Vicente FC finished 13th in the league last season. They aim to avoid relegation and fight for a Conference League spot in the new season. Facing FC Porto, the team are motivated to take points in this home game.2. Gil Vicente FC won the recent two games in a row across all competitions. They won 2-0 over CD Nacional in the last league game, smoothly starting wi...
[(Dynamo Dresden) Neutral]: 1. Both sides have never met before, so there were no records to refer to.[(Dynamo Dresden) Weakness]: 1. As the newly promoted team in the 2. Bundesliga, Dynamo Dresden suffered a losing streak in the first two rounds, being demoralized a lot. Facing 1.FSV Mainz 05 in the first game of the DFB-Pokal at home, the team find it hard to secure a win, indicating doubtful mo...
[(Jaro) Strength]: 1. Jaro are 8th in the table and still need points to secure a Championship play-offs spot, indicating full motivation in this match.2. Forward Kerfala Cissoko scored the winner in the last game, helping his side win.3. Jaro won 2-1 over FC Haka in the last game, securing a 2-game winning streak and showing outstanding recent form.4. Jaro were unbeaten with 1 win and 1 draw in t...
[(SC Preussen Munster) Strength]: 1. In the new season, SC Preussen Munster's 3 goals in two league games were scored by 3 players, showing multiple scorers on offense.2. SC Preussen Munster won 4 of the last 5 home games in AH, boasting a decent home trend.[(SC Preussen Munster) Neutral]: 1. SC Preussen Munster drew 1-1 with SC Paderborn 07 in the last 2. Bundesliga game, showing average performa...
[(Rot-Weiss Essen) Strength]: 1. Rot-Weiss Essen are playing in the 3. Liga this season. Despite their inferior strength to their rivals, the team will still go all out to secure a qualification spot in this home game.2. Tobias Kraulich scored a goal in the last game, showing his outstanding form.3. Rot-Weiss Essen scored 2 goals and conceded 2 in the last 2 competitive games, boasting decent offe...
[(IFK Varnamo) Strength]: 1. IFK Varnamo are at the bottom of the table this season. If they want to avoid relegation, they have to go all out for points in every game, indicating strong motivation in this match.2. Kai Meriluoto scored a goal and made an assist in the last game, helping the team tie with IF Elfsborg.3. IFK Varnamo won the last 2 games in AH, demonstrating recent performances in li...
[(Le Mans) Strength]: 1. Le Mans drew with En Avant Guingamp in the last league game, failing to start with a win. In this home match, they are motivated to secure their first win of the new season.2. William Harhouz scored an equalizer before the end of the last game, helping the team tie with En Avant Guingamp.3. Le Mans secured a 3-game winning streak in recent warm-up games at home, showing de...
[(Mirassol FC) Strength]: 1. Mirassol FC midfielder Gabriel Santana scored a goal in the last league game, performing actively.2. Mirassol FC scored 10 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 2 goals per game, showing full offense.3. Mirassol FC conceded 5 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of only 1 goal per game.4. Mirassol FC boast reliable home strength, remaining unbeaten w...
[(Leeds United) Strength]: 1. After relegation, Leeds United returned to the Premier League this season as the EFL Championship winners. The team significantly strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window, with the goal of staying in the Premier League this season. For their opening home game against Everton, they are determined to secure a winning start to the league, showing strong...
[(Elche) Strength]: 1. As the newly promoted team this season, Elche are motivated to start with a home win in their debut.2. In the summer window, Elche signed midfielder Federico Redondo, Real Madrid loan forward Alvaro Rodriguez, and Valencia CF striker German Valera.3. Elche finished 22 wins, 11 draws, and 9 losses in the Segunda Division last season, smoothly being promoted as the 2nd-placed ...
- 1 Brentford Agree Deal to Sign Dango Ouattara From Bournemouth
- 2 TIPS - Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas VS Liga Deportiva Universitaria
- 3 TIPS - Villarreal VS Real Oviedo
- 4 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 5 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...
- 6 Estevao Willian set for 'key' Chelsea role after debut vs Palace
- 7 TIPS - Club Necaxa VS Club Leon
- 8 Emotional Arne Slot admits he had wanted to bring late Diogo Jota on as a substitute in Liverpool's dramatic victory over Bournemouth
- 9 Benjamin Sesko vs Viktor Gyokeres: Man Utd-Arsenal showdown sets early stage for big-money No.9s to show the Premier League what they can offer
- 10 TIPS - Cambuur Leeuwarden VS FC Oss