How Aston Villa’s plan to beat Bayern Munich paid off – with a result worthy of a future king

The future King of England, William, Prince of Wales, did not quietly leave the country until night.

“I lost my voice,” he said. “I can hardly believe it – 42 years …”

Aston Villa fans began to leave the stadium, even though no one wanted to leave. Villa Park still enjoyed Jhon Duran’s magnificent finish, a moment demonstrably one that gave the club arguably their best night in 42 years – after triumphing in the European Cup final against the same opponents, Bayern Munich, and with the same 1-0 scoreline.

“Villa until I die,” he roared. The flags, now famous memorabilia, were waved happily. Emiliano Martinez, who had accomplished his own heroic feat of time-wasting saves at the end, kissed the badge. The roar that rose in decibels as Duran’s strike sailed over Manuel Neuer was guttural and piercing. It was almost a sound of disbelief and the realization that an astonishing goal had marked Villa’s astonishing rise under coach Unai Emery.

Prince William clenches his fists after Villa’s win (James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Less than two years ago, Villa found themselves outside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference. Now they had just beaten Bayern in a home game in the Champions League. Emery had spoken of creating memories “like that great generation did in 1982” and under his leadership Villa continue to break new ground. There was a strong sense of occasion, but Emery had long preached that Villa needed to show they belonged on the biggest stage. And they did.

“The whole night was special,” Morgan Rogers said The athlete after. “When I went out into that atmosphere, I had never experienced anything like it. I will remember this for the rest of my life.”

“It’s the loudest thing I’ve ever heard at Villa Park,” Martinez told TNT Sports. “Sometimes it hurt my ears.”

Walk down Holte Road and you will see a newly painted mural. Emery is rightly at the forefront, but there are also references to the ’82 triumph and Peter Withe, dressed all in white and the goalscorer that night in Rotterdam, his hands in the air and his feet off the ground. The fact that Duran clenches both fists and roars will become synonymous with Bayern’s second victory in the years to come.

Villa Park were loud all evening apart from the moments before Duran’s goal. The fans, perhaps unconsciously, became nervous because they knew the clock was ticking and their team could get a draw. The only other time the atmosphere calmed down was when the stadium fell silent before kick-off as the Champions League anthem played, as if giving every fan time to absorb the grandiosity of it all. Fireworks were set off and a large tifo was hung at Holte End. A thirty-meter-long banner was unfurled at the bottom of the stand with the inscription “All Heroes are Villanians.”

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Understanding Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran – “Nothing he was given was free”

Duran has been described by teammates as “a bit crazy” but few doubt his immense talent. His goal, his fifth as a substitute this season, was the embodiment of all of these qualities: from the sheer conviction of one of the most outstanding keepers in modern football to the actual ability to do it. He came on in the 70th minute after Ollie Watkins’ running duel with Dayot Upamecano and Emery realized Duran’s pace, power and natural daring could make the difference.

Martinez had started the move when Pau Torres played a whipped left-footed pass into the channel where Duran lay on Upamecano’s shoulder.

WHAT DID WE JUST EXPERIENCE 🔥

Did Jhon Durán just deliver the moment of the evening?! 😮‍💨

📺 Watch @tntsports And @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/laAj5FwErX

– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 2, 2024

SUPER-SUB JHON DURÁN ADVANCES VILLA FROM DISTANCE AGAINST BAYERN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Dn53Tsg55Y

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 2, 2024

Curiously, Villa’s individual performance coach Antonio Rodriguez Saravia was deep in conversation with Watkins just as the second half began, hinting at the exact move Duran would end up making.

Saravia tapped Watkins to get his full attention before he set an example of a sweeping run from right to left, arching his body as if he were sprinting on the outside of a center back.

Duran had little time to prepare, but he did it anyway. The Colombian forward told US broadcaster CBS Sports afterwards that he did not see Neuer outside his line, a sign of his instinctive nature or that he remembered some of the observations made to him in the morning’s analysis sessions.

“Jhon was on fire,” Martinez told TNT. “He’s a great sub. With his first touch of the ball he threw Neuer, one of the best goalkeepers in history. We know that Neuer plays at a high level and we watched a lot of film with the coach – an hour and a half this morning.”

Martinez blew kisses to Villa fans after his late heroics (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“In the analysis we talked about the positioning of Neuer – always high,” said Emery. “I talked to my assistant coaches about how he (Duran) shoots. Because he had this possibility in mind. He scored a similar goal against Hibernian last year. Pau Torres made a similar pass and at that moment he drove towards the goalkeeper and shot. This time he just shot.”

A day earlier, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was asked about Villa’s main strengths. Kompany recognized the compact defensive structure and the danger when switching.

Rogers was a counterattack threat throughout (Michael Steele/Getty Images)

So it was strange that Bayern seemed happy to allow Watkins and then Duran to wage a constant one-on-one battle with Upamecano, pushing so many players into high areas. Villa knew they would have limited possession but were content to stay in shape, reduce the distance between the lines and make a few short, quick passes when winning back the ball before pushing into the oceans of space that were left over when the change occurred.

“We knew they would have more possession, so it was about hitting them on the counterattack,” Rogers told TNT. “It was about allowing them to have the ball in certain areas, but when it’s in midfield we had to get it done.”

The only surprise in Villa’s lineup was Jaden Philogene starting for the first time since his return this summer. The players had practiced at 5 p.m. the night before, but most didn’t find out about the team until the afternoon of the game, with some excitedly calling family and agents. But given the size of the task, Philogene, who played for Hull City in the Championship last season, was informed well in advance.

“I found out yesterday that I started doing this,” he said. “Leon Bailey got injured in training and he (Emery) dragged me into the office. He asked how I was. I said, “Yeah, I’m fine,” and he said, “Good, because you start tomorrow.” There were no nerves. I just wanted to play football. Unai simply told me to play my game and gave me instructions.”

Villa’s analysis sessions are exhaustive and often lengthy. They are admittedly laborious, but the level of detail that Emery imparts to his players requires complete concentration and acceptance. Duran’s finish was an example of why players remain so enthusiastic about Emery – as there is continued evidence that his coaching and analysis lead to success.

“There were two meetings today. We’re used to it. That’s why we win games,” Rogers said. “We go through everything. We know the characteristics of each player.”

“He’s very demanding, focused and knows what he wants,” Watkins said. “You hear about professionals doing hard work and doing extras, but it’s the same with him. He comes early and leaves late.”

The explosion of sound that met Duran’s finish and then the final whistle was a spine-tingling sound that will stay with Villa fans. A night and a goal that reflected Villa’s extraordinary transformation.

(Top photo: Duran and Lucas Digne celebrate against Bayern. David Davies/PA Images via Getty Images)