Young Boys vs Aston Villa LIVE: Champions League result and reaction as dominant Villa triumph in Bern

Young Boys 0-3 Aston Villa: Unai Emery’s men excelled on their Champions League debut

(REUTERS)

Aston Villa made a glorious return to the European flight with a wonderful 3-0 victory against Young Boys in Switzerland.

Playing at the Stadion Wankdorf on an artificial pitch there were come concerns that Villa wouldn’t adapt to the conditions and for the opening 20 minutes the hosts were the better side. Unai Emery’s team did click though and took the lead from a fine set piece.

John McGinn received a short corner and swung a cross over to Youri Tielemans. He controlled it and drilled a low finish into the back of the net for Aston Villa’s first ever Champions League goal.

Two more followed, Jacob Ramsey making the most of a defensive mishap to add a second before Amadou Onana added a third late in the game. It could have been even better for the visitors as Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran, brought into the match as a substitute, both had goals disallowed.

It was a perfect night for the midlands club and they’ll now be determined to reach the knockout rounds.

Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:

Young Boys v Aston Villa

• Aston Villa defeat Young Boys 3-0 away from home in opening match of their Champions League campaign
• 86’ GOAL! Onana shoots from range and scores (YB 0-3 AVL)
• 80' NO GOAL! Onana handled the ball in the build-up (YB 0-2 AVL)
• 78’ GOAL! Duran finishes off a great move (YB 0-3 AVL)
• 71 SAVE! Martinez palms Ganvoula’s effort wide of the target (YB 0-2 AVL)
• 66’ SAVE! Vaon Ballmoos denies Ramsey (YB 0-2 AVL)
• 45’ DISALLOWED! Watkins goal ruled out for offside (YB 0-2 AVL)
• 43’ GOAL! Ollie Watkins makes it three (YB 0-3 AVL)
• 38’ GOAL! A horror backpass allows Jacob Ramsey to double lead (YB 0-2 AVL)
• 27’ GOAL! Youri Tielemans strikes first for Villa (YB 0-1 AVL)
• 13’ SAVE! Emi Martinez denies Colley from inside the box (YB 0-0 AVL)

[17 September 2024 19:12 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

66 mins: Save!

Villa break on the left side with Lucas Digne getting forward. He works the ball over to John McGinn inside the box with the Villa captain having a shot blocked.

The ball deflects out to Jacob Ramsey who shoots and sees his effoert pushed over the crossbar by David van Ballmoos!

[17 September 2024 19:09 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

63 mins: Ugrinic is one of the Young Boys players still visibly determined to get them out of their current predicament. His cross into the penalty area have been superb all night and he just needs a teammate to get close to one of them.

Villa have been equally solid in defence though with Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres marshalling the back line expertly.

[17 September 2024 19:07 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

60 mins: An hour played in Bern now and Young Boys seem very frustrated. Ollie Watkins is coming off now with Jhon Duran brought on instead.

Duran has eight goals for Villa with seven of them coming off the bench.

[17 September 2024 19:05 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

57 mins: Young Boys have turned to long balls in an attempt to get Silvere Ganvoula in behind Diego Carlos who is now in the right back position.

Carlos has started well though and is quick across the turf, not leaving any space for the forward to operate in.

[17 September 2024 19:01 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

54 mins: Villa have been the more dominant force since the restart. They’re pushing high, keeping Young Boys defending deep and are winning free kicks.

Elia takes out Tielemans in another dangerous area. Tielemans then takes the free kick and goes for goal but curls the effort wide of the nearest post.

[17 September 2024 18:59 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

51 mins: McGinn’s delivery of a free kick into the box is cleared away but Villa maintain possession. They feed the ball to Rogers who looks for a shot before nestling a short pass to Watkins.

Watkins is in a slightly better position but can’t get off a shot and Young Boys clear their lines.

[17 September 2024 18:58 · Mike Jones]

Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

48 mins: The second half has started with a slower tempo. Aston Villa are in no rush now due to their lead and they’re focused on keeping Young Boys quiet.

Filip Ugrinic is punished for a handball but there wasn’t much he could do as the ball was drilled at him from close range.

[17 September 2024 18:53 · Mike Jones]

Second half! Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

Diego Carlos is coming on for Aston Villa at the break. He replaces Lamare Bogarde in defence. For Young Boys Cheikh Niasse is hooked and Meschack Elia replaces him.

Villa get the ball rolling again.

[17 September 2024 18:48 · Mike Jones]

HT Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

Here’s a look at both of Aston Villa’s goals. First up Youri Tielemans’ opener:

And then Jacob Ramsey’s second:

[17 September 2024 18:44 · Mike Jones]

HT Young Boys 0-2 Aston Villa

Lamare Bogarde is the third-youngest Dutchman to start a Champions League game for an English club (20 years, 256 days), only behind Jeffrey Bruma (19 years, 10 days) and Patrick van Aanholt (20 years, 86 days) in the same game for Chelsea in November 2010.