It was the stand-out game when the Champions League draw occurred – a repeat of the 1982 European Cup Final, Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich.
As the game got closer, the excitement rose amongst Villa fans. Pubs were packed by 5 pm and although most jokingly predicted a win, most would have accepted not being on the end of a big defeat. You don’t need me to tell you that Bayern are one of Europe’s elite. They have won the competition 6 times and went into the game undefeated.
I like thousands of others chose to go to the ground 45 minutes before kick-off. We all wanted to be in the ground. We all wanted to be part of the occasion. There was no moaning about the ques that were building outside the ground, there was a buzz in the air. The Champions League had returned to Villa Park.
Match Report: Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich
Unai Emery picked the same XI that drew with Ipswich Town on Sunday. The atmosphere was electric. The game was set.
The visitors dominated the ball early on and Harry Kane got on the end of a Joshua Kimmich cross but Emi Martinez denied before the flag went up for an offside.
Vincent Kompany would have thanked his lucky stars 15 minutes into the game when Ollie Watkins was taken down by Dayot Upamecano but to the shock of everyone in the stadium, the referee waved away any potential foul. What made it more bizarre is the two players collided 5 minutes later in the same fashion and this time a foul was given and the defender was given a yellow card.
From the resulting free-kick Youri Tielemens crossed the ball and found Jacob Ramsey who turned back to play the ball to Lucas Digne who was able to send in a cross to a packed area. Pau Torres was first to the ball, nodding it down to Jaden Philogene, the winger tried to control the ball but it fell back to Torres who fired into the back of the net. Villa Park erupted like never before. They had taken the lead against all the odds or so they thought. Moments later the goal was ruled out as Ramsey was judged to have been offside in the buildup to the goal. The greatest celebration for a goal that wasn’t was!
Next, it was time for Bayern to threaten the Villa goal. Konrad Laimer was able to release Serge Gnabry who broke free of Digne but he wasted his chance as he hoofed it over the goal.
Just before half-time, Michael Olise unleashed a shot from the edge of the box but Martinez was able to get his fingertips to the ball and push it over the post.
Bayern dominated the second half without really looking like a threat. Villa were comfortable and dealing with everything they did. Then Jhon Duran entered the field for a hard-working Watkins.
Martinez threw the ball to Torres who had time to control the ball before playing a gorgeous pass to Duran, he shrugged off Upamencano before chipping Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal to make it 1-0. Once again the ground erupted. It was happening again!
Bayern came back at Villa in extra time but Martinez proved why he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Firstly Jamal Musiala picked out Gnabry but Martinez made himself big and was able to block his effort. Then Kimmich picked out Kane who headed towards goal but once again Emi was on hand to confirm the win for Villa and all three points.
Highlights
Highlights courtesy of TNT Sports.
What the boss said
Emery: “Europe always is something special, but there is Europe in the Conference League, Europa League and Champions League. In the Champions League, you are playing against the best teams in the world.
“Now Aston Villa, we are facing teams like tonight. It was not the most important to win, it was how we could compete, more or less close or far. We competed very well. We needed to compete defensively more than normal.”
Up Next
Aston Villa are back at Villa Park on Sunday as Manchester United are the visitors in the Premier League.
