Socceroo on bench as Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League

Patrick Brischetto

Socceroo on bench as Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich in UEFA Champions League image

Aston Villa played their first home game in the Champions League in 41 years when they hosted German giants Bayern Munich.

It's ironically also a rematch of the famous 1982 European Cup Final, which Aston Villa won in one of the clubs finest hours.

There was even royalty in the house, as William, Prince of Wales was in attendance in Birmingham.

It was a fitting matchup for Villa Park's return to hosting the top tier of European football, and a Socceroo featured in Villa's matchday squad as they pushed Vincent Kompany's side in a thrilling match.

WATCH: A new era of the UEFA Champions League is here, only on Stan Sport

Gauci on bench in Aston Villa historic win

Aston Villa continued their winning start in the UEFA Champions League this season, securing a memorable 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in an end-to-end blockbuster.

Jhon Duran continued his wonderful vein of form to begin the season, scoring in the 79th minute with a wonderful lobbed finish over Manuel Neuer to secure the win for Unai Emery's side, who also had a goal disallowed for offside in the first half.

It was a raucous atmosphere in the Midlands for the return of Champions League football, with the fans unveiling a tifo and backing their team with passionate support, but it was Bayern who created the first chances through Joshua Kimmich and Harry Kane, forcing Emi Martinez into saves.

Villa grew into the game, with Ollie Watkins going close with a header, before Bayern centre back Dayot Upamecano was lucky to stay on the pitch after a last man foul.

The home side thought they took the lead from a set play as Pau Torres scored from close range, but after a long VAR check, it was pulled back for a Jacob Ramsey offside.

Martinez made more important saves as Bayern pushed to take the lead, with Bayern continuing to have more shots and possession in the second half, but their wastefulness left the door open for Villa to exploit, and they did just that through their man of the moment.

Duran was almost on the way out of the club before the season began, yet he has become their main man, and scored the winning goal after a swift counter attack.

Bayern's high line was caught out, and with Neuer well off his line, Duran brilliantly chipped him from well outside of the goal, to send the Villa Park crowd into raptures.

Villa were then able to hang on and withstand a Bayern onslaught, with a brilliant save from Martinez - something we are becoming used to seeing - after a Kane header helping the English side to one of their most historic wins in years.

With two wins from two, they sit in sixth in the league stage of the competition; they face Bologna at home next in the Champions League, with fans able to watch the match live and exclusive on Stan Sport.

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Patrick Brischetto

Patrick Brischetto Photo

Patrick is a journalist currently based in Sydney who covered the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Women's World Cup for The Sporting News. He also holds a position at the Western Sydney Wanderers FC, and is slowly attempting to convince the world that the A-League is the greatest sporting competition.