DURAN A SHAW THING

Supersub Jhon’s strike a fitting tribute to Villa hero of 1982

JHON Duran struck a 79th-minute winner to leave Aston Villa fans – including Prince William – jumping for joy.

The Colombian striker came off the bench to send Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich packing. Duran has scored six this term and all but one of have come as a sub as Villa won the rematch of the 1982 European Cup final on a night they paid tribute to Gary Shaw, a hero of that side.

3 Oct 2024 - Daily Express

By Neil Moxley

VILLANS WIN IS PURE VINTAGE

Duran is hero as Emery’s men repeat glorious night

IT WAS a night no Aston Villa fan will ever forget.

The night when this wonderful old club wrote the start of a new chapter in their glorious European history.

Of course it had to be supersub Jhon Duran who was the hero, as his 79th-minute wonder goal lit up Villa Park as Unai Emery’s heroes saw off one of European football’s heavyweights.

It was Duran’s sixth goal of the season and five have come from him being a substitute and now he has written his name into Villa folklore. The roof came off the place and that just served to remind everyone what this means to the Villa faithful after such a long wait to return to European football’s biggest stage.

It was the first European Cup tie at Villa Park in 41 years and a rematch of the 1982 final when Villa enjoyed the greatest night in their history. This one will live long in the memory, too.

Fittingly, Villa remembered their history with lovely tributes to the late, great Gary Shaw, who was one of the heroes of that all-conquering team. Villa manager Emery, with all of his European experience, has done a remarkable job to allow a whole new generation of supporters to dream again.

Villa were full of passion, determination and organisation as Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Co found the home

side so difficult to break down. Kane grew increasingly frustrated with himself, his team-mates and a lack of chances. His temper got the better of him when he pulled down Morgan Rogers and somehow did not get booked.

But then Dayot Upamecano was lucky to survive the night as he was booked early on for pulling back Ollie Watkins, who was a constant menace with his pace on the break.

It was no surprise Upamecano was the defender who Duran – on for Watkins – left for dead before scoring his winner. Pau Torres had the ball in the net in the first half but it was quickly ruled offside.

Leon Bailey came on for Villa to replace the injured Jacob Ramsey only for the substitute to be substituted.

It highlighted the fact that, try as they might, Villa could not find a way through. That is when they call for Duran.

Torres played the ball forward, Duran peeled off Upamecano and then saw Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer off his line and chipped the ball into the net with sheer perfection.

There was still time for Bayern to lay siege to the Villa goal, Emi Martinez produced a brilliant save and then the final whistle was greeted with as much noise as the winner. What a night.

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): 

Martinez 7; 

Konsa 7, Carlos 7, Torres 7, Digne 7; 

Onana 6 (Barkley 59, 6), Tielemans 7; 

Philogene 6, Rogers 8, Ramsey 6 (Bailey 27, 5; Maatsen 60, 6); 

Watkins 7 (Duran, 70). 

Goal: Duran 79.

BAYERN MUNICH (4-2-3-1): 

Neuer 7; 

Laimer 6 (Tel 86), Upamecano 6, Kim 6 (Goretzka 86), Davies 6; 

Kimmich 6, Pavlovic 7 (Palhinha 76); 

Olise 7 (Sane 66, 7), Gnabry 6, Coman 6 (Musiala 46, 7); 

Kane 6.