Jhon Duran drama simply shows Champions League pedigree of Aston Villa

This may be Aston Villa’s first foray into the Champions League. But they are starting to look very much at home.

A double dose of John - or should that be Jhon - made it three out of three so far in this new-fangled group stage. The facts are that second-half goals from Messers and sent Vincenzo Italiano’s side packing in Birmingham.

Another truth is that this was every bit as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. came to have a go at ’s side, but they were simply swatted to one side with the minimum of fuss - which is the hallmark of a side completely at ease with itself and its surroundings.

And although Emery switched it around - he blooded Duran from the start instead of - the net result was still the same. Bologna’s bulged twice. And could have done so on other occasions, too.

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Villa have broken the back of the group stage after only three fixtures and with the modelling suggesting that another three-point haul will see them qualify for the knockout stages, the wise money may be on the rest of the continent taking a close look at what’s happening in B6.

As it was on Tuesday night, they had to wait until after the interval to settle this one. That, in itself, was something of a surprise as Bologna were slick and athletic.

There wasn’t any cat ’n’ mouse. There were more than a few hairy moments at either end during the opening exchanges. The only surprise was that neither keeper had been beaten in the opening half.

Villa enjoyed the better chances and Lukasz Skorupski was certainly worked harder than Emi Martinez - but the Argentine had to stay alert. He certainly was in the eighth minute with what turned out to be the Greyhounds’ clearest effort, with livewire Dan Ndoye playing Thijs Dallinga beyond Villa’s rearguard.

Bologna boss Italiano had clearly challenged his players to run behind Villa’s back four, and the tactic almost worked a couple of times. But Emery’s side found their feet. And put on the squeeze.

Their chances came in pockets of pressure. Midway through the half, Youri Tielemans’ corner was flicked on by Amadou Onana and Skorupski reacted well to save. He did likewise after John McGinn attempted to find the bottom corner with a right-foot shot.

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Thereafter Villa threatened twice in as many minutes as the half drew to a close. Morgan Rogers, who had shown one or two brief flashes, fired just past the post with his right foot.

And then, with only Sam Beukema in front of him, managed to nutmeg Bologna’s skipper only to see Skoroupski stop with his legs.

Stefan Posch drilled wide when he might have done better in the opening skirmishes after the break. The cost of that miss was seen in the 55th minute.

Villa skipper McGinn has probably dreamed about scoring in the . But, perhaps, not the way it turned out. Not that the Scot will care one jot as he swung in a free-kick from the right that eluded everyone.

Ten minutes later, Rogers - whose powerful running with the ball caused problems all night - produced a lovely curling cross to the near post. Duran held off his marker, reaching the ball first and diverting it into the net.

He was withdrawn moments later, booting the dugout in frustration. But his job was done. And so was Villa’s.

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