Aston Villa secured a late 3-2 win against RB Leipzig after Ross Barkley and Jhon Duran impressed off the bench.
Duran kick-started his outing with a long-range effort in the second half (52) before Barkley won the game in the 85th-minute – but Unai Emery has once again called for patience from his young forward following another strong cameo.
“Sometimes he is very impatient,” Emery told Amazon Prime after Duran scored and saw a second goal disallowed. “He was fantastic today and he has massive potential. Tactically he is improving.”
Villa rose to third place in the standings thanks to Barkley’s late winner, while Leipzig squandered their chance to record their first points in the competition this season and can no longer progress to the knockout stages.
How Villa secured a crucial win
John McGinn got Villa off to a flying start inside three minutes after guiding the ball past Peter Gulacsi and his side looked to be totally in control of the fixture, until a rare error from Emiliano Martinez gifted Leipzig an equaliser.
The Villa keeper allowed the ball to bounce in the penalty area, where Lois Openda was waiting, and could only watch as the striker rounded him and slotted the ball into an empty net.
Ollie Watkins, who assisted his captain for the opener, slotted the ball into the back of the net but saw it disallowed for offside, in what would be his last involvement of the game.
He was replaced by Duran at the break and it would not take long for the Colombia international to have his usual impact, as he curled a stunning long-range shot over the head of Gulacsi.
Christoph Baumgartner’s equaliser was worthy of securing a first point in Europe for the hosts but they were denied that chance after Barkley was introduced, who then took a speculative effort from distance and saw it trickle in after taking a wicked deflection.
A crucial goal that secured a crucial win for Villa. From floundering outside the top eight, to sitting pretty in third.
Barkley: Subs have to make an impact, I’m happy to help
Aston Villa match-winner Ross Barkley speaking to Amazon Prime:
“That’s the role from the lads on the bench. I am happy to come off the bench and score the winner. He [Duran] causes chaos and we have two top strikers fighting for the starting role. It’s great to have.”
Duran: I love the competition with Watkins
Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran speaking to Amazon Prime:
“I’m just happy to be here and I actually love the competition I have going with Ollie Watkins. When it is my turn I step up and hopefully I will score to help the team. I am happy.
“We are so happy to be where we out in the standings. We are delighted.”
Ross Barkley secured a late win for Aston Villa
Duran cannot be ignored
Sky Sports’ Patrick Rowe:
It feels like there has been a momentum shift at Villa in the past week – and not just in terms of results.
With his match-winning goal against Southampton and his performance off the bench against Leipzig, Duran is not just knocking on the door anymore. He has bulldozed his way into the starting line-up and should not be denied the role any longer.
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Highlights from the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton
As Barkley correctly mentioned, it is a good problem for Emery to have but after admitting Watkins has a “small injury”, now feels like the perfect time to give Duran an extended run in the team to see what heights he is truly capable of reaching.
McGinn: We want to keep going
Aston Villa captain John McGinn speaking to Amazon Prime:
“The two goals we conceded were really poor. Disappointing losing the off-side goal. They are a good team at home, we knew they would be a threat.
“Overall we were the better team and could have scored a couple more. We needed the subs to come on and make an impact.
“We had some disappointing results off the back of a great start. It’s surreal but we want to keep going.”
