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Aston Villa soared up to third in the UEFA Champions League standings with a dramatic 3-2 victory away at RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.
An early strike from John McGinn, a stunner from Jhon Duran and a late deflected goal from Ross Barkley secured a valuable three points on the road for Unai Emery’s side. It wasn’t easy as Leipzig twice fought back to level up the scoring but the men in claret and blue showed superb mentality to battle on and win the game.
It took just three minutes for McGinn to open the scoring as the Villa skipper fired in from close range. It was an excellent team move as Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans linked up before Ollie Watkins nodded Matty Cash’s deep cross back into the danger zone, allowing McGinn to thrash the ball home.
Leipzig equalised out of nowhere in the 27th minute, owing to a mix-up between Emi Martinez and Diego Carlos. Villa’s goalkeeper misjudged his rush out to a route-one pass from Nicolas Seiwald and Carlos should’ve done more to intervene as Lois Openda intercepted, rounded Martinez and passed into an empty net.
Villa really should’ve been ahead at the break as they had several opportunities to score a second, both before and after Leipzig’s leveller. Watkins had the best of the bunch but he missed the ball in the six-yard box when trying to convert from a drilled Lucas Digne cross. The striker also missed a one-v-one with Peter Gulacsi, and as did Cash.
Emery made a bold substitution at the break, replacing Watkins with Duran. It paid off very quickly as the Colombian scored an absolute stunner to put Villa back ahead, thumping into the roof of the net from no less than 30 yards. Duran had no right to shoot but, as he always does, he did on sight. Gulacsi perhaps could’ve done better as the ball sailed into the centre of the goal but the power and movement were too much to handle.
Ross Barkley scored oh so late to secure a famous 3-2 win for Aston Villa away at RB Leipzig.Ross Barkley scored oh so late to secure a famous 3-2 win for Aston Villa away at RB Leipzig.
Ross Barkley scored oh so late to secure a famous 3-2 win for Aston Villa away at RB Leipzig. | Getty Images
Duran thought he’d scored a second to seal the deal for Villa - converting from a low Cash cross - but the striker was denied by a narrow offside for the assister. Emery soon wished it counted as Leipzig struck back for a second time with a remarkable goal. Benjamin Henrichs pinged a gorgeous long pass to Openda, who clipped in the perfect cross for Christoph Baumgartner to finish. It was a sumptuous volley from the attacking midfielder to make it 2-2.
It looked as if the spoils were to be shared but late substitute Barkley had other ideas, firing Villa back ahead in dramatic fashion. The midfielder picked up a loose ball and struck from around 20 yards, finding the net via a hefty deflection from Lukas Klostermann.
Openda will be kicking himself as he had a glorious chance for Leipzig just a few minutes earlier. Pau Torres gifted Openda possession clean through on goal but the Frenchman fluffed his lines, shooting straight at Martinez.
The hosts pressed on for a third equaliser in stoppage time but a hat-trick of impressive saves from Martinez denied them. Here’s how the players rated on a dramatic night at Red Bull Arena.
Aston Villa player ratings in 3-2 win at Leipzig
Emiliano Martinez - 6
Made a rare blunder, rushing out and then hesitating to allow Openda to round him and score Leipzig’s leveller. Made amends in the latter stages by making three vital saves in quick succession.
Ezri Konsa - 6
Mopped up several loose passes from teammates and didn’t put much of a foot wrong with his passing. Beaten a little too easily by Openda before Baumgartner’s goal, mind.
Diego Carlos - 5
Another at fault for Openda’s goal as he could’ve easily got in front of the attacker and stopped him from reaching the ball. Booked for dissent.
Pau Torres - 4
Misjudged the flight of the ball for Baumgartner’s leveller and was out of position in the lead-up. Made a terrible mistake to pass the ball straight to Openda approaching full-time, but the attacker missed his chance.
Lucas Digne - 6 (off 83’)
Provided great width down the left and drilled in an inviting low cross early on but it wasn’t met liked it should’ve been by Watkins. Nowhere to be seen for Baumgartner’s goal.
Boubacar Kamara - 7
Broke up the play well and displayed a nice range of passing. Showed off the odd flairful touch through the legs of Leipzig midfielders.
Youri Tielemans - 8 (off 83’)
Dictated the tempo, helping Villa dominate possession for the most part. Had a half chance but missed the target in the 15th minute. Assisted Duran’s screamer, though he won’t be taking much credit.
Matty Cash - 7 (off 71’)
Played in the more advanced right midfield role and did well. Dinked in the crucial cross ahead of McGinn’s goal and was unlucky not to assist for Duran as he was a toe offside.
John McGinn - 8 (off 75’)
Broke the deadlock with a composed finish and deserved his goal as he was superb all night at escaping the press on the half-turn, kick-starting attacks in style. Ran his socks off.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Registered a decent shot on target in the first half and linked up well with the likes of Tielemans, McGinn and Cash.
Ollie Watkins - 6 (off at HT)
Denied his first Champions League goal by a tight offside but should’ve scored anyway as he missed two decent first half chances. Assisted McGinn’s opener with a cushioned header.
Jhon Duran - 8 (on at HT)
Subbed on for Ollie Watkins for the second half and made a rapid impact, scoring a wonder goal within minutes. Finished neatly for what he thought was his second, but Cash was offside in the build-up.
Ross Barkley - 7 (on 83’)
Got in a great position to score Villa’s winner, even if it was deflected.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (on 71’), Ian Maatsen (on 83’) - both N/A.
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