So far in this campaign, we have seen a fearless Villa side, winning in three of their four games, including one of those victories being against Bayern Munich. They were able to take points once again against strong European opposition tonight in what was probably a fair result, although it sees Unai Emery’s side drop a place outside a round of 16 spot. It was a bittersweet feeling for Villa fans at the end, claiming a precious point, although they felt they should have won it after Rogers’ goal at the death was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper in the build-up.
Neither side were able to take real control of the game, with big saves at both end resulting in a goalless affair at Villa Park. An injury-hit Juventus created chances throughout the night, with Francisco Conceição at the heart of the opportunities, with a fine performance by Emiliano Martínez keeping the visitors at bay. Villa’s most noticeable chances came through Lucas Digne striking the woodwork from a free-kick and John McGinn’s first-time effort saved from close-range.
As it happened
It was an electric atmosphere at Villa Park, with Aston Villa welcoming another European giant to the West Midlands. It was the Italian side that made the bright start, in an aim to settle with a noisy Villa crowd, knocking the ball around comfortably in the early stages of the game.
Despite the dominant start from the visitors, Unai Emery’s side were beginning to find their feet, with the first chance of the game falling to Pau Torres. Leon Bailey’s corner was flicked on at the near post by the central defender, narrowly nodding over. The game began to open up, but neither side were really posing a threat despite finding themselves in good positions. Francisco Conceição was the one in the Juventus side looking to make things happen, winning his individual battle against Lucas Digne.
Embed from Getty ImagesOpportunities were finally starting to arise, with both sides having the chance to take the lead. Ollie Watkins received the ball from Boubacar Kamara after a free kick, taking it in his stride before his effort was denied excellently by Michele Di Gregorio, reaching out to his bottom right corner.
Moments later down the other end, a fast transition from the visitors saw Timothy Weah with a chance to open the scoring, bending an effort just wide of the top corner.
It was an end-to-end game at Villa Park towards the end of the half, with both Conceição and Digne having presentable opportunities. The visitors were getting the most joy on the break, this time with Conceição shifting it onto his weaker foot and lashing an effort towards the near post, causing no real harm in the end for Martínez.
On the brink of half-time, Digne had the best chance of the first period. Stepping up from the free-kick, he looked to bend it up and over the wall, which he did with precision, but his effort rebounded off the crossbar to the cries of Villa Park. The free-kick concluded what was a cagey first 45 minutes.
Embed from Getty ImagesKenan Yıldız and Conceição were evidently the two threats in the Juventus side from the first half, with them likley to be the catalysts if the visitors were to unlock the Villa door, and Conceição was close to doing so after skipping away from Digne and Morgan Rogers, eventually having his effort blocked by Torres and into the hands of a relieved Martínez.
The game was waiting for a moment to liven up, with neither side being able to show any quality in the final third or create any major chances, although both looking sharp on the break. An astonishing save by Martínez kept the score level, producing one of the saves of the tournament. Teun Koopmeiners’ corner travelled all the way through to the back post, with the keeper somehow clawing Conceição’s effort on the line. The Portuguese winger would have felt like he couldn’t have done any more, coming down to just a fine piece of goalkeeping.
Juventus were having one of their best spells of the game, but John McGinn nearly broke the deadlock against the run of play. An interchange between the Scottish midfielder and Bailey saw the ball pulled back to McGinn, who looked bound to score, but was denied by the outstretched foot of Di Gregorio. The game was teeing up nicely for an exciting last 20 minutes, with the chance of a decisive goal.
A cheer rang round Villa Park as Jhon Durán entered the frame, with the Columbian striker known for his contributions off the bench, as well as being a goal scorer in Villa’s two previous games in the competition.
Youri Tielemans was the one hoping to write the headlines, searching for the bottom corner with a first-time strike, with the Juventus keeper down to make a routine save.
Embed from Getty ImagesTime was running out for both teams, with a draw looking the likley result, despite both teams having chances in the game. The main talking point of the game came right at the last moment. In the dying moments of the game, the roof erupted at Villa Park.
A last chance arose for Aston Villa, with a desperate and hopeful free-kick delivered into the box by Tielemans. Rogers couldn’t believe his luck, with Di Gregorio fumbling his effort to catch it, falling to the youngster who smashed it in for what was thought to be the winning goal. Juventus and Di Gregorio weren’t happy, however, feeling Diego Carlos had fouled the goalkeeper. VAR agreed with this, with the goal overturned and the referee’s full-time whistle blown to the boos of the home crowd.
It was certainly a controversial ending in the West Midlands, but Villa would look to take the positives, earning an invaluable point. For Thiago Motta’s side, it leaves them winless in their last three in the competition, but maintaining a place in the round of 16 playoffs.
The lineups
AVL: Martínez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
JUV: Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceição, Koopmeiners, Yıldız, Weah.