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

SC Freiburg Make History with Dominant Win Over Celta Vigo to Reach Europa League Semis

Published

13 hours ago

April 16, 2026

thecloudngr

SC Freiburg Make History with Dominant Win Over Celta Vigo to Reach Europa League Semis—-Freiburg booked a historic place in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals for the first time after a commanding 3-1 win over Celta Vigo, sealing a 6-1 aggregate triumph.

Julian Schuster’s side, who carried a 3-0 advantage from the first leg in Germany, finished the job in style away from home with goals from Igor Matanović and a brace by Yuito Suzuki.

Freiburg effectively ended the contest before half-time, scoring twice in quick succession. Matanović opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a powerful volley after a clever build-up involving Matthias Ginter and Jordy Makengo.

Suzuki doubled the lead six minutes later, combining neatly with Jan-Niklas Beste before finishing calmly. The Japanese midfielder added his second early in the second half, converting from close range after a flowing team move set up by Vincenzo Grifo.

Celta Vigo managed a late consolation through Williot Swedberg, but it did little to change the outcome as Freiburg cruised through.

Having already broken new ground by reaching the quarter-finals, Freiburg now advance to their first-ever European semi-final, where they will face either Real Betis or Sporting Braga.

thecloudngr

0Shares

Sports

Ousmane Dembélé Hits Brace as Paris Saint-Germain Knock Out Liverpool from UCL

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

thecloudngr

Ousmane Dembélé Hits Brace as Paris Saint-Germain Knock Out Liverpool from UCL—-Ousmane Dembélé starred with a brace as Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, sealing a dominant 4-0 aggregate win to reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.

The French forward proved decisive on the night, scoring twice to end Liverpool’s European campaign and send the defending champions into the last four for a third consecutive season.

Liverpool’s night was further marred by a serious injury to Hugo Ekitiké, who was forced off in the first half with what appeared to be a severe leg issue, raising concerns over his availability for the remainder of the season.

Manager Arne Slot made bold selection calls, leaving Mohamed Salah on the bench initially, though the forward was introduced early following Ekitiké’s injury and nearly made an instant impact.

Despite flashes of pressure from Liverpool, PSG remained composed and dangerous on the counter. Dembélé broke the deadlock in the second half with a fine curling effort before adding a second in stoppage time from a Bradley Barcola assist.

Liverpool’s hopes of a comeback were also dashed when a penalty awarded for a challenge on Alexis Mac Allister was overturned following a VAR review.

The defeat confirms a disappointing end to Liverpool’s European campaign, while PSG continue their title defence and will face either Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

thecloudngr