Goals from Moussa Diaby and Àlex Moreno ensured Aston Villa’s qualification out of Group E in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Unai Emery’s side look to get the better of HŠK Zrinjski Mostar in the final group game as they aim to guarantee top spot and a place in the round of 16.
Join Liam as he discusses some of the major talking points from last night’s crucial victory at Villa Park…
Words by: Liam Davies
THE RETURN OF ÀLEX MORENO
Just how refreshing was it seeing the Spaniard back in claret and blue last night?
Claiming his first appearance of the season, despite making the bench a few times on the back of May’s hamstring injury, the 30-year-old full-back gave us exactly what we got last year; speed, directness and a potent attacking threat down the left, as well as defensive qualities too.
Let’s not get it twisted, Lucas Digne has been terrific covering for the former Real Betis defender and has been a crucial cog in the team this term. As Emery insists, it’s not about who is better between the two, both are vital to the success of the side and will continue to contribute profusely for the remainder of the campaign.
To round off what was a really pleasing performance, which saw the January signing linking up with the fellow returnee Jacob Ramsey, Moreno marked his comeback with the winning goal.
Douglas Luiz, showcasing his deadly set-piece capability once again, lofted a cracking ball to the back-post where Moreno had timed his run to and the Spaniard made no mistake, using his right foot to guide the ball into the back of the net and past young ‘keeper Kacper Tobiasz (who was excellent on the night).
It’s difficult not to like Villa’s marauding number 15 and it’s difficult not to have enjoyed his display last night. The Villa Park faithful certainly did and applauded the returning defender to a standing ovation when he was replaced by Digne in the 79th minute.
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CLUMSY KAMARA
Let’s talk Boubacar Kamara. The Frenchmen has had yet another big season in claret and blue (so far) and has shone alongside the likes of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn in the middle since Emery’s arrival, but he is prone to the odd mistake, isn’t he?
I’m the number 44’s biggest advocate; he filled the massive void in the centre of midfield since joining from boyhood club Marseille in the summer of 2022 and has been exactly what we lacked for years – a destroyer-type midfielder who possesses ideal physical traits and expertly breaks up play.
Of course that isn’t all the 24-year-old can do. He is in fact very capable on the ball and isn’t scared to try and outwit opponents to move play up the pitch and into key attacking areas.
I just feel the odd slip-up is always there with Bouba. We’ve seen it several times before. Of course, a lot of that can be put down to Emery’s system which, often sees the midfielders facing their own goal, awaiting the ball to attempt to play out from the back.
This exact scenario was evidenced last night as Robin Olsen, who was standing in for a rested Emi Martínez, played it into Kamara’s feet; the Frenchmen then tried to play a ball into the feet of right-back Matty Cash but fired it straight into the welcoming feet of Albanian forward Ernest Muçi. The Legia forward would go on to curl an effort into the top corner of the goal, equalising for the travelling Ekstraklasa outfit.
It’s not just Kamara too – let me emphasise that – and mistakes happen; no team in the world is perfect. He does more good than bad, that’s for sure, and he will continue to play because he’s a phenomenal player and Emery trusts him.
Just not on Sunday because he’s suspended.
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EMPTY SEATS M’LORD
We have to talk about it, don’t we? The scenes outside Villa Park yesterday were not pretty, in fact they were horrific.
Legia fans, particularly their ‘ultras’, are highly regarded around Europe as troublesome (to say it lightly) and some hassle was expected last night, but not to the extent at which unfolded around B6.
West-Midlands Police were brutally attacked with missiles and flares as a couple thousand thugs flocked the streets outside Villa Park looking to cause harm and chaos.
The majority of those causing problems outside the ground were ticketless after an agreement was made between UEFA and SAG (Safety Advisory Group), recommending Villa to reduce the travelling capacity. This stems from trouble caused in Alkmaar in October which saw more ugly scenes involving Legia fans and the police; the same trouble that meant the Polish side could have no fans attend the away fixture against HŠK Zrinjski Mostar the following match-day.
Sadly what was a good night on the pitch, which saw Villa run away as 2-1 victors and qualify into the knockout stages, will be tainted by disgusting behaviour outside the Doug Ellis Stand. The mayhem started just before kick-off and the police made the decision not to let any of the travelling Warsaw supporters in the ground (hence the empty seats).
It is believed that over 45 arrests were made on the night as four officers were injured and one hospitalised with severe burns caused by flare-throwing. Police horses and dogs were also sadly attacked and some harmed in what was a frenzy-filled 90 minutes outside Villa Park.
I’d personally like to thank the West-Midlands Police for the work they done on the evening, no-one deserves that type of abuse, but especially those who serve the public and try to keep us safe (which they did bravely and courageously). It’s a shame because it simply should not have happened and something needs to be done because these thugs will just keep doing it unless sanctioned effectively.
Thankfully, it looks like reprimanding will take place, with UEFA releasing a statement following last night’s events. It reads: “UEFA strongly condemns the unacceptable violence which occurred around the Aston Villa v Legia Warsaw match. UEFA is in the process of gathering all official reports from the game before deciding on potential next steps.”
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