Unai Emery has performed near-miracles since taking charge of Aston Villa, but if he can find a way to keep Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran happy, it could be his biggest trick yet.
Duran had just scored the decisive second goal to make it three Champions League wins out of three for Villa when he was replaced by Watkins before play restarted. Watkins didn't exactly look thrilled when his teammate beat Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski, but that reaction was nothing compared to Durán's. The Colombian took out his frustration on the seats in front of him, kicking and punching the upholstery before being calmed down by a member of Emery's staff.
With 20 minutes left, Durán headed towards the tunnel, although he returned, smiling, to collect the award for best player of the match and pose for selfies with the fans. Emery insisted he was not concerned about Durán's behavior, but reminded his players to respect the team's “values.”
Whatever he does, Durán attracts attention. He recently signed a new contract with a huge pay rise, but even that is unlikely to calm him down if he returns to the bench for Saturday's clash against Bournemouth.
This was Durán's seventh goal in all competitions, despite starting only two games. Watkins, meanwhile, has five.
Unai Emery engineered another Champions League victory as Aston Villa maintained their perfect start to the campaign.
John McGinn scored on his first start since returning from injury to put Aston Villa ahead against Bologna.
The Colombian scored his seventh goal of the campaign after starting under the guidance of Unai Emery
Emery can play them together, but that means trading Morgan Rogers. Rogers has been outstanding alongside Watkins and Duran and, although he can also operate wide, Emery will be reluctant to move him from the middle.
Emery is one of the highest-paid coaches in the world precisely because Villa believes he can solve these problems. And with good reason: Villa are fourth in the Premier League and two more wins in the remaining group games may be enough to qualify them for the last 16 of the Champions League without the need for a tiebreaker.
“We can change the goal and try to be in the top eight,” Emery said. 'I want us to feel that this is pure for us and not a surprise. But there are other teams that are contenders and favorites to finish in the top eight.”
Villa almost took a flyer when Leon Bailey reached the touchline, but Rogers missed his cut and Durán hit the loose ball towards goal only for his effort to be blocked.
At the other end, Swiss attacker Dan Ndoye entered Ezri Konsa and found Thijs Dallinga, who forced Emi Martínez into an important save.
After that, Villa had the majority of the game, but before the break, they were unable to make their excellent approach count as Amadou Onana, John McGinn, Duran and Youri Tielemans all went close.
Rogers had two chances to put Villa ahead in first-half stoppage time. First he received a pass from Durán and was just wide from 25 yards, and then Skorupski denied him after heading a shot to Jhon Lucumi.
Although the home fans were engrossed in the action, they gave one of the loudest applauses of the first half when Tyrone Mings came off the bench to warm up. This was the English defender's first appearance in a matchday squad since last season's opening day, with his 14-month absence due to a serious knee injury finally coming to an end.
The hosts doubled their lead shortly after the hour mark with a great goal from John Duran.
Villa manager Unai Emery made one change at the start of the second half, sending on Ross Barkley for Amadou Onana, who appeared to be feeling discomfort in a hamstring during the first half. Bologna made their own change as Jens Odgaard replaced Riccardo Orsolini, who had struggled with the McGinn/Ian Maatsen combination before the break.
Now attacking Holte Finish, Villa kept the pace high. Maatsen's ball into the box was headed by Ezri Konsa and Bailey really should have hit the ball on goal.
Ndoye had been Bologna's brightest attacker and from the beginning he gave Posch another chance. The full-back wasted an excellent position by drilling wide from 20 yards.
Villa hoped that his greater physical power would eventually bring its rewards. Konsa was attacked by former Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler, leading to a brief fight between Emery and his counterpart Vincenzo Italiano. The dispute was resolved with a handshake, but perhaps Italiano wished he had not been so friendly when he saw what happened next.
McGinn's free kick from the left flew perfectly and caused Skorupski to hesitate. With the Pole in no man's land, the delivery missed everyone in the middle, but slid to the far corner.
Ollie Watkins was rested for the visit of Bologna on Tuesday night, although the England striker faces a tough test to keep his place as first-choice striker.
Emiliano Martínez kept another clean sheet to ensure Villa remains one of six teams yet to concede a goal in this year's competition.
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Even the person controlling the scoreboard was caught up in the excitement. The display on the big screen briefly signaled 2-0 to Villa, with both awarded to McGinn. A VAR review threatened to confuse matters once again, although to Villa's relief the ball was deemed not to have made contact with Barkley's hand en route.
Moments later Emery prepared a triple substitution, with Watkins, Jacob Ramsey and Jaden Philogene coming off the bench. However, while they waited in the technical area, Durán left his mark. He slid in front of Lucumi and hooked a Rogers cross into the far corner from close range. This would be his last contribution, as Emery made the triple change before the restart, with McGinn and Bailey also coming off.
Villa suffered a late scare when Sam Beukema headed against a post, one of the rare occasions when Emery's men struggled on a quiet night. At least on the playing field.
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