Aston Villa finally tasted victory this season as John McGinn’s first-half strike secured a 1-0
win over Bologna in their UEFA Europa League opener, extending the Italians’ winless run
against English clubs to six matches.
Unai Emery’s side came out firing, with Evann Guessand testing Lukasz Skorupski inside
the opening 10 minutes, before McGinn capitalised on a half-cleared corner to fire low into
the bottom corner. That proved to be the decisive moment, though Villa failed to turn
pressure into further goals.
Donyell Malen was denied by a last-ditch block, while substitute Ollie Watkins missed a
golden chance from the penalty spot after being fouled by Martin Vitík, his effort saved by
Skorupski.
Bologna almost made them pay when Santiago Castro’s header rattled the crossbar, but
the visitors lacked composure in front of goal, with Federico Bernardeschi particularly
wasteful.
Jadon Sancho squandered a late chance to seal the game, yet Villa held firm to record their
first competitive win of the campaign and give Emery a positive platform in a competition
he knows better than most.
