Aston Villa finally secured their first win of the campaign, with captain John McGinn delivering the decisive moment in a tense Europa League opener against Bologna, Softfootball reports.
Unai Emery’s side, who had endured a stuttering start to the season, edged past their Italian visitors at Villa Park but offered little assurance that their form issues are behind them. The result comes at the end of a turbulent week for the club, with the president of football operations, Monchi, departing and being replaced by former Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe.
Into the game, Coach Unai Emery made notable changes, benching Olie Watkins and unfielding Emiliano Martinez on Thursday evening.
The change in squad for Coach Unai Emery paid off for the Villains, who secured their first win this season.
Villa struck early, McGinn rifling home from the edge of the box to score his second goal against Bologna, having netted against them in last season’s Champions League.
The goal also helped Villa secure their first home win after losing 3-0 to Crystal Palace two weeks ago at Villa Park.
The opener lifted the home side, with Evann Guessand and Donyell Malen both forcing saves from Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski as Villa pushed for a second.
The momentum faded after the break, and Bologna grew into the contest. Federico Bernardeschi tested Villa keeper Marco Bizot before the hosts spurned a golden chance to put the game out of reach. Jadon Sancho also got some minutes. during the game, coming on as a substitute to Emiliano Buendia in the 58th minute.
Ollie Watkins, fouled in the box, saw his weak penalty comfortably saved by Skorupski.
Bologna nearly made Villa pay. Santiago Castro struck the bar with a header before, deep into stoppage time, Martin Vitik was denied by a fine Bizot save to preserve Villa’s slender lead.
The win has now kept Villa unbeaten at home in seven consecutive European games since last season. Villa celebrated the milestone on their official X handle:
Emery’s men now turn their attention to a home meeting with Fulham on Saturday afternoon, while Bologna travel to Lecce on the following day.
