Aston Villa player ratings vs Young Boys: One 9/10 and six 8s but two 6s in 'dreamy' Champions League opener

Unai Emery’s side started tentatively but got into their stride around midway through the first half, heading into the break 2-0 up through Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey. It probably should’ve all over at the interval as Ollie Watkins saw a goal disallowed by VAR for a very harsh handball. Amadou Onana’s 25-range pile-driver made sure of all three points in the second half, though, after Jhon Duran saw another belter off the bench chalked off.

It wasn’t always fun and games for Villa as Young Boys did possess the early momentum and tested Emiliano Martinez on several occasions, often as a result of clever one-twos on the edge of the area or through balls in behind. The best chances fell to winger Ebrima Colley, who first forced a low diving save from Martinez before whipping a terrific 30-yard dipped merely inches over the crossbar.

The flow didn’t seem natural for the visitors as they took a while to develop a rhythm, but some touchline instructions from Emery eventually set his men on their way. John McGinn had his team’s first big chance about midway through the first half with a 25-yard effort, gaining momentum for Tielemans to crucially break the deadlock 27 minutes in.

The Belgian midfielder became the first Villan to score in the Champions League since Peter Withe against Juventus in 1982, sending the 1,600-strong away support into raptures. Lucas Digne played a short corner to McGinn, allowing Tielemans to gain space at the far post and be picked out by Villa’s captain. Tielemans controlled the ball excellently before striking hard and low on the laces to find the far bottom corner. It was against the run of play but absolutely deserved given the intelligence of the set-piece routine.

Watkins soon had a great opportunity to make it two as he was sent clean through on goal by a Morgan Rogers flick-on, but the striker struggled to control the ball - perhaps not helped by the artificial turf - and the chance was squandered.

Ramsey doubled Villa’s advantage with an absolutely bizarre goal in the 38th minute. Mohamed Camara’s horrendous pass back to goalkeeper David von Ballmoos within his own area caused Watkins to be swiped out, allowing Ramsey to pick up the loose ball and pass into the net via the post. It almost certainly would’ve been a penalty had Ramsey not scored, so referee Georgi Kabakov did well to wave play on.

Watkins thought he’d netted one of his own but saw a third Villa goal ruled out as he struck beautifully on the half-volley from around 10 yards. The England international saw his original shot blocked by Tanguy Zoukrou before appearing to control the rebound on his chest and fire home, but VAR overturned it for handball. It was incredibly cruel as no angle displayed a clear hit of the hand.

Villa looked extremely comfortable at the start of the second period and were taking it fairly easy, patient in the build-up play. It took until the 64th minute for the next chance but it was a good one as Ramsey forced von Ballmoos into a fingertip save over the bar.

There was yet another disallowed goal but this time for a much clearer handball, from Onana. Duran thought he’d netted a beauty off the bench once again as he struck first-time to direct a Ramsey cut-back into the near post with perfect precision. The Colombian used the defender in front of him as a guide to curl in from around 20 yards but was denied his goal after a VAR check. Emery was furious as he believed the handball was too early in the move.

Onana silenced Stadion Wankdorf by finally scoring Villa’s third of the encounter in the 85th minute, drilling hard and low from 25 yards to find the bottom left corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance. The Villans rounded off the clash with confidence and get off to the perfect start to the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Young Boys

Emiliano Martinez - 8 

Absorbed plenty of pressure in the opening 20 minutes or so. Made a great low stop from powerful Colley effort and a simpler save from a Filip Ugrinic free-kick. Contributed five saves all in all to preserve the clean sheet.

Lamare Bogarde - 6 (off at HT)

Struggled to deal with Jaouen Hadjam on the overlap in the first 20 minutes and still looked a tad shaky when Young Boys surged on rare counters. Hooked at half time.

Ezri Konsa - 7

Displayed great versatility by stepping across to right-back for the second half. Looked solid all game, even when tested in the opening exchanges. 

Pau Torres - 7

Mixed success with his passing out from the back, quite often getting the pace of forward balls wrong. Did occasionally break the press with a progressive pass, however, and didn’t put much of a foot wrong defensively.

Lucas Digne - 7 (off 88’)

A real threat down the left as an outlet for cross-field passes. Delivered some top crosses. Took the short corner for Tielemans’ goal, though can’t take much credit for it!

Amadou Onana - 8

Got on the scoresheet again with a terrific long-range strike to make it 3-0. Deserved his goal as he broke up the play effectively and was strong to sprint away from the press on the half-turn.

Youri Tielemans - 9 (off 87’)

Setlled VIlla down after a shaky start with a brilliant finish to find the bottom corner after a set piece. Dictated possession for much of the clash and put the cherry on the cake by notching the assist for Onana.

John McGinn - 8

Assisted Tielemans’ opener with an inch-perfect cross to near the edge of the area. Pressed relentlessly throughout and narrowly missed a shot from range. Brilliant in the build-up to attacks.

Jacob Ramsey - 8

Scored Villa’s second with good anticipation to net when Watkins was fouled. Saw a decent curled effort saved in the first half and forced a fingertip stop in the second period. Set up Duran’s disallowed goal with a great pass inside.

Morgan Rogers - 8 (off 88’)

Unplayable when driving forward on the ball, creating so many opportunities and showing off countless nice touches. Needed to be more selfish on a couple of occasions, however, as he tried to square to Watkins but could’ve had a go himself.

Ollie Watkins - 8 (off 60’)

So unlucky not to score on the night as he was fouled at close range ahead of Ramsey’s goal and had one disallowed for a very harsh handball. Showed great movement and cushioned a header for McGinn’s first half chance. His poor ball control squandered a chance clean through on goal on the half-hour mark, mind.

Subs:

Diego Carlos - 6 (on at HT)

Took over the job of dealing with Silvere Ganvoula‘s physicality and did fairly well until giving the ball away in a dangerous area. Got away with quite the error there. 

Jhon Duran - 8 (on 60’)

The hero against Everton was so unlucky not to score another cracker off the bench as it was disallowed for a handball from Onana early on in the move. Took three or four shots in his 30 minutes plus added time on the field, causing a real threat.