Aston Villa Make Champions League Return With Comfortable 3-0 Win At Young Boys

Published

2 years ago

September 17, 2024

thecloudngr

Aston Villa Make Champions League Return With Comfortable 3-0 Win At Young Boys—-Aston Villa have started their Champions League campaign with a convincing 3-nil win away from home against Young Boys, Villa’s first appearance since 1983.

Aston Villa paid the perfect tribute to former striker Gary Shaw as they enjoyed a dream Champions League debut with a 3-0 win at Young Boys.

Villa’s return to the top table of European football was overshadowed by Monday’s death of Shaw, a golden boy of the club’s past success at this level when he helped them to European Cup glory in 1982.

Boss Unai Emery told his current crop before the game to win it for Shaw and they listened as they began life in the modernised competition in style thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey and Amadou Onana.

It was the ideal start to the revamped 32-team league format, where the top 24 sides have a chance to progress, but perhaps their real introduction to the Champions League will come when they host Bayern Munich in a fortnight.

For now, Villa’s fans, who were watching their side in the Championship just five years ago, are enjoying the journey under Emery as they chanted ‘we are top of the league’.

Young Boys are no strangers to this competition, having beaten Manchester United three years ago, but they came into the game sitting bottom of the Swiss Super League after a winless opening six games.

They did force their Premier League opponents back in the opening 20 minutes, with Ebrima Colley testing Emiliano Martinez with a low shot and Filip Ugrinic firing the rebound wide.

They took the lead in the 27th minute as Tielemans became the first Villa goalscorer in the top tier of European football since Peter Withe in 1983.

It was a set-piece masterclass as the Belgium international peeled off at the far post from a corner, took down John McGinn’s delivery on his chest and drove home into the far corner.

Ollie Watkins could have made it 2-0 immediately after as he raced clear on goal, but he stuttered and only got a weak shot in under pressure from defenders.

But from then on, it was all Villa and two goals in 11 minutes saw them grasp control.

The England striker was involved in Villa’s second as he intercepted a suicidal backpass from Mohamed Ali Camara and took a clattering from goalkeeper David von Ballmoos. Referee Georgi Kabakov played advantage and Ramsey passed into an empty net from three yards.

Watkins thought he had got on the scoresheet during a rampant Villa spell, but his drilled effort was ruled out after VAR spotted a harsh-looking handball in the build-up.

Villa continued to press in the second half with Von Ballmoos producing a flying save to deny Ramsey.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Up Next

Sean “DIDDY” Combs Denied Bailed And Sent To Jail Amids Racketeering And Sex-Trafficking Charges

Don't Miss

BREAKING: Luis Castro Sacked As Al Nassr Head Coach

Click to comment

Sports

BREAKING: PSG Set Up Arsenal Champions League Final After 6-5 Aggregate Win Over Bayern Munich

Published

23 hours ago

May 6, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: PSG Set Up Arsenal Champions League Final After 6-5 Aggregate Win Over Bayern Munich—-Reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain have secured their place in yet another UEFA Champions League final after overcoming Bayern Munich in a fiercely contested semi-final clash.

Paris Saint-Germain have booked their place in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final after edging Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in a dramatic semi-final clash.

The decisive moment came early in the second leg, when Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé fired home from close range after being picked out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, giving PSG a crucial lead that ultimately proved to be the winner.

Despite the fast start, the game soon became defined as much by controversy as by clear-cut chances. Bayern were left frustrated after Nuno Mendes appeared to handle the ball while already on a booking, but the referee opted against issuing a second yellow card.

Further anger followed when another potential handball incident involving João Neves went unpunished, with officials ruling that the ball had deflected off a teammate in the build-up—therefore not meeting the criteria for a penalty.

Bayern, managed by Vincent Kompany, dominated large periods of the match and created several opportunities. Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala both came close, while goalkeeper Matvéi Safonov was called into action multiple times.

The German side eventually found the net through Harry Kane in stoppage time, but it proved too little, too late as PSG held on to secure their place in the final.

The result extends Bayern’s wait for another European title to six years, while PSG now have the opportunity to win back-to-back Champions League trophies, just a year after claiming their first.

Attention now turns to the final on May 30, where PSG will face Arsenal. The showdown promises high stakes, with either a historic first Champions League title for Arsenal or consecutive triumphs for the French giants on the line.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Sports

BREAKING: Saka Fires Arsenal Into First Champions League Final in 20 Years

Published

2 days ago

May 5, 2026

thecloudngr

BREAKING: Saka Fires Arsenal Into First Champions League Final in 20 Years—-TCN reports that Arsenal have qualified for the 2026 UEFA Champions League final after a narrow victory over Atlético Madrid, with Bukayo Saka scoring the decisive goal.

Saka’s strike proved to be the difference as Arsenal secured a 1-0 win in the second leg, progressing 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in Spain.

The result sees the North London club reach the Champions League final for the first time in two decades, marking a significant milestone in their European journey.

Arsenal will now face either defending champions Paris Saint-Germain or German giants Bayern Munich in the final scheduled for May 30.

This will be only the second Champions League final appearance in Arsenal’s history. Their first came in 2006, when they were narrowly defeated by FC Barcelona.

The Gunners will now be aiming to go one step further and claim their first-ever Champions League title.

Developing story…

thecloudngr