MAJESTIC McGINN STRIKE SEALS VILLA’S MAIDEN VICTORY OF SEASON
John McGinn got Aston Villa off to a winning start in the Europa League, with his first-half goal enough to secure a 1-0 victory over Bologna.
The skipper’s brilliant 20-yard drive was enough to seal all three points at Villa Park, despite Ollie Watkins having a penalty saved.
Unai Emery’s side were yet to win a match in all competitions this season, but made a bright start with Evann Guessand calling Lukasz Skorupski into action following a strong run after just six minutes.
Villa then broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, with McGinn drilling from just outside the box after Bologna failed to deal with a neatly worked short corner.
Skorupski denied Donyell Malen a second goal soon after, before the hosts were handed a golden opportunity to double their lead in the 68th minute when Martin Vitik tripped Watkins in the box.
However, the forward’s goal drought continued as Skorupski’s outstretched legs kept out his tame penalty.
Bologna almost punished Villa immediately with Santiago Castro heading Riccardo Orsolini’s header against the crossbar.
Emery’s side survived another scare late on, with Marco Bizot clawing away Vitik’s looping 96th-minute header to preserve all three points.
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Image credit: Getty Images
