Second-half goals from super-subs Jhon Duran and Ross Barkley secured a 3-2 Champions League win for Aston Villa away at RB Leipzig.
Aston Villa needed less than two minutes to open the scoring in Germany. Matty Cash swung in a cross from the right which Ollie Watkins headed back to John McGinn to steer home from close range.
The visitors took control and should have doubled their lead but Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans were all unable to convert chances. Villa were then made to pay for their misses when an awful error from Emi Martinez gifted Leipzig an unlikely equaliser.
The Argentina goalkeeper came racing out of his goal but was caught out by Lois Openda who nicked the ball away, went past the stopper and rolled the ball into an empty net just before the half-hour mark.
Unai Emery opted to send on Duran for Watkins at the break and his substitution proved to be inspired. The Colombian star needed just minutes to restore Villa’s lead with a brilliant effort from range that curled over goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
Duran had the ball in the back of the net again shortly afterwards only to see it chalked off for offside, and Leipzig quickly levelled again when a long ball forward found Openda who crossed for Baumgartner to guide a volley across goal and past Martinez.
Yet there was still time for more drama and another crucial contribution from a substitute. Ross Barkley's strike from outside of the box took a huge deflection off Lukas Klostermann to fly into the back of the net and hand Unai Emery's side all three points.
GOAL rates Aston Villa's players from the Red Bull Arena…
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Emi Martinez (4/10):
An awful error gifted RB Leipzig an equaliser and a way back into the game out of nowhere. Redeemed himself somewhat with some important late saves.
Ezri Konsa (6/10)
Couldn't get anywhere near Openda for the second goal as Leipzig broke quickly.
Diego Carlos (5/10):
Should have done better for both goals. Looked a weak link at the back for Villa and picked up a booking so will miss their next game against Monaco
Pau Torres (5/10):
Looked lost when Leipzig made it 2-2 and almost gifted RB Leipzig the winner late on with a dreadful pass.
Lucas Digne (7/10):
Provided good width down the left for Villa and was a threat. Had a decent effort in the second half.
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Boubacar Kamara (6/10):
Worked hard all night and had a chance but put it too close to the goalkeeper.
Youri Tielemans (8/10):
Brilliant on the ball and set up Duran for the second goal.
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Matty Cash (7/10):
Swung in a great cross for the goal and was a threat on the right wing before tiring in the second half.
Morgan Rogers (8/10):
Got better as the game wore on and linked really well with Duran in the second half.
John McGinn (8/10):
Scored the opener from close range and had a good game. Was positive on the ball and posed a threat.
Ollie Watkins (7/10)
Great knock back to McGinn for the goal and made some good runs but was taken off at half-time.
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Jhon Duran (8/10):
Came on at half-time and gave Villa the lead minutes later with a brilliant strike from range. Was a real handful.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (6/10)
Replaced Cash for the last 20 minutes and brought some energy.
Ross Barkley (7/10):
His shot took a massive deflection but it secured the win for Villa.
Emi Buendia (N/A)
A late sub.
Ian Maatsen (N/A)
Only handed a few minutes.
Unai Emery (8/10):
Tweaked his system to good effect with Cash and Digne providing plenty of width. His decision to bring on Duran and Barkley also paid off handsomely as both men scored.
