Aston Villa

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Champions League game between RB Leipzig and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Luke: Cracking result. Third in the Champions League table is a dream. We played well, attacked well and controlled the ball. A few mistakes but we have now won three in a row. Jhon Duran has to start more - he deserves it!

Steve: Some great performances - Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Matty Cash. We are in a happy place with one more win almost certainly giving us top eight. Just got to get the defence right. Maybe start with Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings/Pau Torres in the middle and stick with it for a few games.

Paul: An excellent performance that was not ruined by two silly goals. Deserved to win by more. Played with a high tempo like last season and that was a good sign for kicking on after three straight wins now in all competitions. Very happy - up the Villa!

Stewart: Great away performance and could and should have scored more. Two defensive mistakes gifted them goals. Overall, a fantastic result, great goal by Duran and our midfield for most of the game was solid., Kamara again was a standout as were Morgan Rogers and John McGinn. Bring on the top eight!

Matt: When will Ross Barkley get his England call-up? Even without the deflected goal, he was top class at all times.

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Former Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton says everything Jhon Duran "touches turns to gold at the moment" as the Colombia forward added another goal to his tally in the Champions League.

Duran has now scored 10 goals this season, including three in Europe, while striking rival Ollie Watkins is yet to get off the mark in the Champions League.

Manager Unai Emery is keen to play both together, but against Leipzig it was Watkins who started and then made way at half-time for Duran.

"He really led the line well," said Albrighton on 20-year-old Duran, on the BBC Radio 5 Live 's Football Daily podcast. "In previous occasions he has scored, but Watkins has offered more in terms of being an all-round striker.

"That is probably why Emery favours him to start games. But when Duran came on, he put himself around a bit more and was more involved in link-up play. He topped all of that off with his goal.

"Why wouldn't he be enjoying himself? Everything he touches at the minute seems to turn to gold.

"He would like more starts but from a Villa point of view, it's working really well at the minute. It's not like Watkins is out of form. Yes, he might not have the goals Duran has but he offers a lot more than that.

"The way that Emery has managed them both this season cannot be faulted.

"It may be to Duran's detriment, that he is so good at coming on from the bench."

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Aston Villa are considering recalling Louie Barry, 21, from his loan at League One Stockport County to send the 14-goal English forward to a club at a higher level. (TeamTalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

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Aston Villa will "want to go even further" after all but securing a place in the Champions League knockout stages, says former striker Garry Thompson.

Unai Emery's side scored late through a deflected Ross Barkley goal to come out 3-2 winners away to RB Leipzig.

Villa now sit third in the standings with 13 points after six games and in a strong position to finish in the top eight and qualify directly for the last-16.

The side will travel to Monaco on 21 January before wrapping up their league phase campaign at Villa Park against Celtic on 29 January.

Speaking on BBC Radio WM after the victory, Thompson said: "You talk about memories, these [players] are making memories for the new Aston Villa fans. This is absolutely fantastic.

"Emery has given them [the players] the ability to believe in what he is trying to do, the system they play and that system allows them to go and win games.

"When we got into the Champions League, this was seen as an adventure for Aston Villa fans and we will see how far we go. We didn't expect to get too far, we didn't think too much would happen, but you knew you had a manger who doesn't take defeat kindly.

"He doesn't lie down, he wants his team to win and improve and that is what has happened. We are going to be in the play-offs for the knock-out stages and I think before the start of the season most Villa fans would have taken that.

"But, now we have gotten to this stage, you want to go even further."

Listen back on BBC Sounds

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to Amazon Prime: "I try to enjoy and always we want to improve and sometimes it is hard, but today the team were performing well, playing seriously and I was enjoying it.

"We tried to overcome the mistakes we made and we did. More or less we were playing consistently. One mistake and they score but then we played very well. Champions League is very difficult and we have to expect that every team playing at home are feeling strong. We played with consistency and domination."

On substitutes: "The idea when we prepare the game, the plan is also for the subs to help if we needed it. Watkins had a small injury and Duran scores. Buendia and Barkley scoring the third goal. This is what any coach would want."

On Jhon Duran: "Sometimes he is very impassioned and we have to try and keep balanced with him. He scored a great goal and he works and we are trying to get the team strong with a tactical approach. His potential is massive. Tactically he is improving and today he played a fantastic 45 minutes."

On going for the win rather than a draw: "The last 10 minutes you have to be positive and try and use the players you have and the subs to try and get the victory."

On a potential top-eight finish: "Today we were thinking if we won we could be a contender in the last two matches to be in the top eight. We achieved this option and we are going to try and get top eight. We are happy because we are in the top-24."

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Aston Villa's remaining Champions League games "look a little bit easier" after 3-2 win at RB Leipzig, says former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The win in Germany on Tuesday night leaves the side sitting third in the table on 13 points with two games remaining.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Robinson said: "It cannot be underestimated the size of that win. That was a performance and a win that Unai Emery would have wanted from his team tonight.

"They were outstanding at times. Two silly mistakes cost them the goals, other than that, defensively they weren't really under any kind of threat, going forward they looked like they were going to create and cause problems.

"That makes their Champions League campaign thus far a real success.

"You add that result to their previous results, you look where they are in the table, that gives them a little bit of breathing space now and away at Monaco, at home to Celtic.

"Those games all of a sudden look a little bit easier for Villa, especially when the Villa fans will look at that table."

The victory means Villa have won their past three games in all competitions, having only won three of their previous 13 matches.

"Nobody will want to play Villa in a knockout competition, the way they play, the attacking options that they have got," Robinson added.

"Look at their performances in the Champions League - they've beaten Bayern Munich, drawn with Juventus, lost at Bruges, beaten Bologna, they've beaten some good teams.

"I don't think Monaco or Celtic will hold any worry for them.

"Going forward - top eight, top 16 - however they get through, I think they will be a real problem for teams in this competition."

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Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We worked hard as a team, and that is my job to score. The main thing was the win and the three points away from home.

"I am just happy to be here and love the competition with Ollie Watkins. When it is my turn hopefully I can step up and help the team.

"We're so happy to be where we are and we are almost through so we are delighted about that."

On turning 21 on Friday: "I am definitely not going out to celebrate my birthday because my aim is to score to celebrate on Saturday."

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Jhon Duran has scored more goals as a substitute than any other player across Europe's big five leagues in all competitions this season (six), while no player across those competitions has more goals from outside the penalty area than his four.

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Aston Villa captain John McGinn, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It was disappointing losing the offside goal. I think the two goals we conceded were disappointing from our point of view.

"I thought overall we were the better team and we could have scored more.

"We dealt with their problems well and what we needed today was substitutes to come on and make a difference.

"It is exciting. We had some disappointing results off the great start and it is great to be in the top three. We have that Monaco game and then a nice one against Celtic."

Fellow goalscorer Ross Barkley, also speaking to Amazon Prime: "That's the role of the lads on the bench - to try and make a difference. Jhon Duran made a difference and I am happy to score the winner. They all count."

On Duran: "As you have seen, he comes off the bench and causes chaos and scores goals. We have got two top strikers fighting to start."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Two Premier League clubs are in Champions League action on Tuesday:

• Girona v Liverpool (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• RB Leipzig v Aston Villa (20:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

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Elliott from Aldridge said: "I first started going home and away with Villa when they were in the Championship, so to see us building up to where we are now is amazing. I still can't believe we're here and doing all this!

"Leipzig are out of form in the Champions League so they are there for the taking!"

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Matthew from King's Stanley: "It is going to be a test. We lost to them in pre-season.

"Villa have done really well so far so I am hopefully we can go quite far into the competition.

"The music and atmosphere raises the hairs on the skin and experiencing it with my dad is very special. I could never have imaged us five or six years ago. It is what dreams are made of.

"Hopefully we can win a trophy soon."

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Morgan Rogers has shared his ambitions of becoming an "established Premier League player" and playing on the "biggest stages" before Aston Villa's Champions League match at RB Leipzig in Germany.

Just 12 months ago, the 22-year-old forward was playing for Championship side Middlesbrough but, since his move to Villa Park, he has become an England international and been playing in Europe's top club competition.

"It's hard to put it into words because everything has happened so quickly," he told BBC Radio WM. "The next challenge has just kept falling at my lap.

"I'm loving it. I'm enjoying it. It was my dreams and ambitions, as a kid, to play in the Premier League and Champions League. Enjoying these experiences along the way is vital and massive for me.

"I've obviously still got work to do. I've still got a long way to get to where I want to. I'm happy with the way I have progressed and where I have got to, but I just want to keep pushing and keep getting better. Hopefully I can do that with Villa.

"I want to be an established Premier League player, which I don't think I am yet. I want to be that consistent player in the national team. I want to play on the biggest stages and be considered as one of the best players in those competitions.

"I don't think I've played enough games yet to consider myself as an established player. I need more consistency in my games and more games under my belt, in terms of taking that next step and cementing my Premier League status.

"I thought the Championship was hard - this is a whole new level."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

David Michael
Fan writer

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Last week, Ollie Watkins' celebration after his penalty against Brentford - patting his heart while smiling to the crowd with relief - felt symbolic of his season so far. Despite being Aston Villa's top scorer in the league with seven goals, his finishing has not always been convincing.

According to FotMob data, Watkins leads the league in big chances missed, with 14 in just 15 matches, averaging 0.93 missed opportunities per game.

By contrast, he missed 22 across the whole of last season (0.57 per game) and a similar 0.52 per game the season before.

What was once a big chance missed every other game has escalated into a miss per game this season - a troubling trend for a player so central to Villa's attack. He is also yet to score in the Champions League.

This is not just a statistical quirk - it is a sign of Watkins' growing importance in the Villa side, with his role having evolved significantly under Unai Emery.

"Before I was running into the channels and into the corners," Watkins explained last season., external "Now I am staying within the width of the box."

His seasonal heatmap has proven this over the past few seasons, reflecting a role that has made him a more decisive player in tighter games. Matches like Arsenal's visit to Villa Park this season, where Watkins' two big missed chances would have altered the result, highlight the stakes.

Emery has not been shy in addressing Watkins' situation, challenging him to adjust to the increased demands. "He has to accept and adapt quickly to his new position," Emery said recently,, external emphasising that Watkins needs to deliver with consistency.

The manager has also credited Jhon Duran for stepping up when Watkins faltered, pointing to the squad's collective strength.

"We needed Duran scoring goals in the last 30 minutes of matches," said Emery.
"If we didn't have Duran helping as he did, then maybe we wouldn't have the points that we do now."

Watkins' work-rate and movement are unquestionable, but for Villa's upward trajectory to continue, the England striker must find an increased clinical edge and confidence.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against RB Leipzig (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed that Leon Bailey has "a small injury" and will not be available for Tuesday night but they will "wait and see" for Saturday's game.

• On their Champions League campaign so far: "We are very motivated and we are enjoying it. Tomorrow is matchday six and it is very important because more or less we feel close to the next round but we have an opportunity to be in the top eight and tomorrow is that match. It's going to be very difficult."

• He said Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran are both "very good strikers" but with "different experiences". He added: "Next challenge is to play with both. We are trying and I will try again. We have to keep balance playing with both and that is the next challenge. First comes the team, but tomorrow is a very important match."

• On the expectations on this game being similar to the match against Brugge: "At the beginning, expectation was to try and enjoy it. Use experience from last year in another level this year. We are doing it fantastically. Even against Brugge, it was very good to learn. Tomorrow it is a new test. To be consistent as a team is our challenge."

• Emery praised Boubacar Kamara as a "very important" player for the "balance" he gives the team: "Tactically he is very intelligent and has capacity to play when we need to keep ball possession, cover, attacking and the transition. He is one player we have to continue the process with. When we arrive two years ago, the process was fantastic before his injury. He has now started playing with a better level than before injury."

• On the importance of left-back Lucas Digne: "He is a player like every coach would want. He is mature, very responsible. He wants to improve every day and to learn. Even when playing matches he wants to train more. Even after international breaks when we have two days off he only has one day off and comes and joins in training."

• He added: "On the field he is giving us a lot of moments of discipline. His mentality is fantastic and he wants more and more. He is an example for young players. How he is everyday trying to train, improving, learning, listening, and being humble. Humble with his experiences. When he arrived here his career was maybe going down but he reacted very well to our demands and he is really doing fantastic."

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Jhon Duran is Aston Villa’s top scorer in the Champions League this season with two goals, while no player has attempted more shots for them than his nine. This is despite the Colombian only being on the pitch for 35% of Villa’s match time in the competition this season.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Paul: Not all wins are glamorous. Some are forgettable and played in horrible conditions. Both give you three points. Villa got the job done unscathed and credit to them.

Mike: Less than 50% possession, and made hard work of a poor opponent, but a win is a win and hopefully a corner has now been turned after the recent sticky patch.

Brian: We give the ball away far too often and I don't think we would have scored another goal even if we kept playing until Sunday.

Hadders: Laboured performance - a better team would have beaten us. Jaden Philogene and Ross Barkley are just not good enough to make a positive impact when they come on but it's three points so we have to take the positives ahead of the huge game on Tuesday.

Southampton fans

Cliff: I'm so embarrassed to be a Saints fan right now, which is something I thought I'd never say. Another terrible toothless display. Sack Russell Martin now, and change the style of play ASAP.

Rich: The players made a fist of it for the most part, but we were toothless up front, either wanting an extra touch or an extra pass which invariably gave the ball back to Villa. Martin's subs made the team weaker, which shows how poor our squad is.

Bert: I have been supporting Saints since 1948 and I can honestly say it is the worst team in all those years.

Gary: I would rather go down and keep Martin than replace him. Under him we play an identifiable style and the players are still totally committed. We have failed to replace Jason Wilcox and probably not recruited well enough . Martin took a side that probably wasn't good enough up - I think that says more about him than Sports Republic.

Aston Villa are one of four Premier League clubs interested in 19-year-old Juventus and Turkey winger Kenan Yildiz, whose club could seek a fee of about £66m. (BirminghamLive), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's four Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City

• Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Boss Unai Emery believes Aston Villa's confidence is returning after their 1-0 win over Southampton.

Jhon Duran's first-half winner lifted Villa to fifth and they are just two points behind Manchester City in fourth.

Successive home wins against Brentford and Southampton have seen a return to form after an eight-game winless run derailed their season.

Emery said: "Today was not good with the weather and the supporters were here with us and trying to send us their energy. We played better and [are] getting confidence and understanding how we can improve.

"With the victory and Wednesday [against Brentford] as well we are feeling better. The effort from the players was fantastic.

"It was a difficult match as well, when they were keeping possession we needed to press them. They were getting some chances as well but eventually we were improving."

Emery also confirmed Leon Bailey is likely to be out for up to three weeks after the forward came off with a hamstring injury in the second half.

"It's a hamstring. He didn't feel a lot but I think minimum one, two, three weeks probably," he added.

Image source, Getty Images

Unai Emery spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Aston Villa's victory against Southampton: "We won and that's positive but the difficulties we had were in our expectation. Over the 90 minutes we had chances to score more goals but sometimes they were dominating possession. Today we managed the game plan more or less to try and find the way to win.

"It's important for the team. Today we had chances. We dominated sometimes both boxes. At the beginning for sure but the second half they didn't get to our box. We had chances to score the second goal which we didn't do. Amazing goal from Jhon Duran, individual brilliant goal his ability to run in behind and he's very clinical.

"The most important thing is how we are progressively getting comfortable on the field. We have to try to use substitutions because we have Champions League on Tuesday. Three matches in nine days. We have to be ready with the players we have available to try and enjoy the competition."

On Leon Bailey injury, will he be available for Tuesday? "I don't know. I think no."

On their league position: "Each step we have to try to get comfortable. We are fighting with Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Brighton and we have to try to be there. We focus on the next match, Champions League and then the match against Forest."