Liverpool and Aston Villa Champions League wins

Two of England’s finest football teams continued to make headlines in the Champions League this week. Liverpool secured a solid 2-0 win over Bologna, extending their winning streak, while Aston Villa pulled off a surprising victory over Bayern Munich, thanks to another super-sub appearance from Jhon Durán.

Liverpool outlast Bologna to secure fifth straight win

Arne Slot’s Liverpool side continued their fine form with a 2-0 victory over Bologna on Wednesday evening. While not as dominant as in previous outings, the win marked their fifth consecutive triumph across all competitions. Liverpool started with Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch in the lineup, while Cody Gakpo began on the bench. Bologna also featured two Dutch players: Thijs Dallinga led the line, and Sam Beukema anchored the defense. Dallinga thought he had scored early, escaping Liverpool’s defense, but his effort was ruled offside. Liverpool responded well, taking control of the game. Mohamed Salah was pivotal once again, providing a sublime assist as he floated a pass over Bologna’s defense, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to score from close range and put Liverpool ahead 1-0. Darwin Núñez later had a goal disallowed for offside, keeping the Italians in the contest.

As the first half progressed, Bologna began to find their rhythm, and they came close to leveling the score. Dan Ndoye rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot, and moments later, Bologna missed two more golden chances—first from a dangerous free kick and then again as Ndoye hit the post. In the second half, Liverpool found themselves under pressure, but manager Arne Slot brought on Cody Gakpo with 20 minutes to go, and Liverpool regained control. Salah, once again the hero, cut inside and curled a brilliant shot into the top corner to secure the 2-0 win. After the match, Slot acknowledged Bologna’s threat in the first half: "They had some momentum from set-pieces and counterattacks, but we managed to stay solid. They’re a team with a good game plan." With this win, Liverpool remains in great form as they look ahead to a demanding run of fixtures, including Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Arsenal, and Real Madrid in the coming weeks.

Durán's late heroics give Aston Villa victory over Bayern Munich

Aston Villa’s thrilling Champions League journey continued on Wednesday as Jhon Durán scored the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. The 20-year-old Colombian striker once again proved to be the match-winner after coming off the bench. Durán replaced Ollie Watkins in the 70th minute and wasted no time making an impact. Just nine minutes after his introduction, he spotted Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer off his line after a long ball forward. Durán coolly slotted the ball past Neuer with a powerful left-footed strike, securing Aston Villa’s famous win. It was Durán’s fifth goal of the season as a substitute, and his knack for delivering decisive moments has made him a key figure for manager Unai Emery. In earlier matches, he had also netted crucial goals against West Ham United and Everton in the Premier League.

After the match, Emery couldn’t hide his excitement for the young striker. “Durán is still very young, but his potential is enormous,” Emery said in his post-match press conference. “He’s been with us for only two years, and though he can be impatient at times, he’s learning and growing. Managing both Watkins and Durán is a challenge, but they bring different qualities to the team.” Emery added that while there are times when both forwards can play together, Durán’s role as a late substitute has been particularly effective this season. His energy and ability to finish in high-pressure moments have made him a vital asset for Aston Villa’s continued success in Europe.

English clubs continue to impress in Europe

Both Liverpool and Aston Villa delivered impressive performances in their latest Champions League matches. Liverpool’s consistency under Arne Slot keeps them on a winning path, while Jhon Durán’s heroics for Aston Villa continue to light up their European campaign. With the league stages heating up, both teams are well-positioned to make deep runs in the competition. Currently there are 3 out of 4 English teams in the important top 8 of the rankings. Finishing in the top 8 will mean automatic qualification for the final 16.