Aston Villa

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Aston Villa goalscorer and player of the match Youri Tielemans speaking after the win over Young Boys: "Tonight was a good performance, not just from myself but from my team.

"It feels really good - it's amazing. We can enjoy tonight and focus on the next game."

On the rest of the Champions League's league phase: "I'm very excited. Every game's going to be really tough. This new format makes it even tougher.

"It's going to come down to the details in the end, after the eight games. it's going to be tough."

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Former forward Garry Thompson spoke to BBC Radio WM following Aston Villa's 3-0 win over Young Boys on their return to European club football:

"On paper you are thinking that should be a win for Aston Villa, but you still have to go and win the game.

"You still have to go and play well, you still have to go and defend, still have to put your body on the line and win the ball, you have still got to create opportunities.

"They have done everything Unai Emery wanted tonight. The tempo was quite slow to start with but they picked it up at the right time and got the goals at the right time.

"They also had two goals disallowed, so on balance you have to say it was a good night's work well done.

"Unai will be delighted with that, they have got their first points in the Champions League and now on we go."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Following the tragic passing of Gary Shaw on Monday, Aston Villa delivered a performance the former striker and his fellow 1982 European Cup winners would have been proud of in Switzerland.

Playing their first match at this level in 42 years, Unai Emery's team took time to adapt to the artificial surface at Stadion Wankdorf but never looked back once Youri Tielemans had put them ahead following a well-worked corner routine.

Jacob Ramsey doubled Villa's lead after some calamitous defending by Young Boys, who were spared further first-half punishment by the video assistant referee's decision to disallow Ollie Watkins' effort for handball.

Jhon Duran was also denied by VAR, who chalked off the Colombian's second-half finish after Amadou Onana had handled the ball in the build-up.

Silvere Ganvoula and Filip Ugrinic forced Emi Martinez into action in the second half, but Villa's lead was never seriously under threat as Emery's team began the Champions League's new-look league phase with a comprehensive win.

Europe's top club competition returns to Villa Park on 2 October, when Villa take on Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 1981-82 final.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

What did you make of your team's performance, Aston Villa fans?

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Come back to this page on Wednesday to find a selection of your replies

Follow reaction and read the match report

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There are six matches as the Champions League returns on Tuesday with the opening night of its new league group stage:

Juventus v PSV - 17:45

Young Boys v Aston Villa - 17:45 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

AC Milan v Liverpool - 20:00 (listen on BBC Radio 5 Live)

Bayern Munich v Dinamo Zagreb - 20:00

Real Madrid v Stuttgart - 20:00

Sporting v Lille - 20:00

All kick-off times BST

Follow all the action live

Aston Villa fans have been getting excited for Tuesday's Champions League opener against Young Boys (17:45 BST) with fan Luke thinking he "might get a bit teary" as he looks ahead to their first game in Europe's top club competition since 1983.

"I'll probably get quite emotional. I don't know how I'll feel when they're all lining up with that anthem on. It's big for a fan that's not seen your team in the biggest competition in European football," he told The Football News Show.

On BBC Radio 5 Live's Breakfast show earlier, Villa fan Becky Fielding said: "It's so exciting - from going back down to the Championship and having some of the poorest seasons of football.

"It's just a whole dream - not just a dream for me, it's a dream for my kids as well. They've followed them since they were babies and now they're getting the opportunity to go and see Champions League football."

BBC Radio WM reporter Mike Taylor has been out in Bern and caught up with a few supporters.

"It's a big thing for the club, a big step up for us. The Europa Conference last season was a good taste of playing European football - but this is the big time," one fan said.

Alistair Bruce-Ball will be commentating on the game live on BBC Radio 5 Live and he spoke about the impact of the artificial pitch at Young Boys and the change it has made to Villa's plans.

"They've travelled out here earlier than they would for an away game in Europe for precisely that reason. Manchester City did the same thing last season."

Listen to the game live here at 17:45

Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says he "loves" the confidence of Jhon Duran after the Aston Villa striker decided another game with a stunning finish off the bench.

Duran has scored the winning goal as a substitute in each of Villa's three league wins this season, already the joint-most winners from a substitute in a Premier League campaign

"What I love about him [Duran] is his confidence levels are through the roof," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"This is a guy who absolutely backs himself. I don't actually know exactly what sort of striker he is. He's a bit of an all-rounder. This is a guy who thinks he should be in the team ahead of Ollie Watkins, which is some shout. That's belief and ability.

"What we do know is that he looks a very natural finisher with some of the goals he's scored. He made a play to go to West Ham; he made that Hammers sign and crossed his arms.

"This is a guy who backs himself. From everything I've heard - I don't know if tearaway is the right description - but he's one which they need to keep on top of. He's certainly a talented player.

"He's been a real impact player. The Villa games will come thick and fast and then we'll see him get more game time but I love the confidence."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

David Michael
Fan writer

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When it comes to the Champions League, what should Aston Villa's true expectations be?

With a set of favourable away fixtures, they should progress through the extended league stage, where three wins and a couple of draws should be enough to secure advancement.

However, there are still questions about the team defensively, as they have now gone nine games without a clean sheet. If they can resolve that issue, Unai Emery's side could make a real impact in Europe.

The midfield axis of Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana, with Ross Barkley rotating in and out, is developing well.

John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and Emi Martinez are all clear assets, but the X-factor that could push Villa further than many expect might lie in the in-season development of Morgan Rogers and Jhon Duran. If both players can fast-track their progress, Villa could potentially have significant upside to their capabilities.

Rogers has been a force in the Premier League this season, ploughing through midfields and defences. Only a lack of composure in front of goal has prevented him from grabbing the headlines. That will come in time, and it will be fascinating to see how European teams cope with his directness and power.

Then, of course, there is Duran, who once again demonstrated against Everton that Emery's claim about the Colombian potentially becoming one of the world's best strikers is not just empty hyperbole.

As Monchi, Villa's director of football, mentioned in an interview last week: "He [Duran] thinks he is better than Watkins."

Duran has been frustrated by a lack of minutes, which he feels is hindering both his progress and potential earnings - hence his initial desire to force a move in the summer.

However, Villa have plenty of games ahead. Should they reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, they will play nine matches in December alone, suggesting Duran will get ample game time in rotation.

Come the business end of the Champions League, if Villa are still there and everyone is firing in unison, then Emery's men could be serious dark horses.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

We asked for your memories of Gary Shaw after the legendary Aston Villa striker died aged 63 on Monday.

Here are some of your responses:

Christine: Fondly remembered for his silky skills and a true Villan. I must admit I was one of the many on the terraces who had a severe crush on him! Was honoured to have met him at a charity event. He was just as eloquent off the pitch. Dreadfully sad for his family and close friends. Gone too soon but remembered with love.

Graham: Simply one of the best footballers you will ever see and such a nice, genuine fella. I shall miss seeing him every game as I sit just behind the press box. I often shout "get us a pie, Gary" at half-time! Thanks for all the good times, only happy memories. RIP Shawsy.

Prit: Gary Shaw is revered among all Villa fans. I was standing in the Holte and that team brought us so much joy. I remember when Andy Gray was sold I was thinking: where are the goals going to come from? Shaw stepped up from the academy and the rest is history. Cruelly cut down by injury otherwise he would have had a glittering England career. RIP.

Rob: Quick, tenacious, and a real eye for goal. Watching him on the Holte, you always knew he would score given half a chance.

Peter: Modest, unassuming, with a steely determination in front of goal and brilliant vision - as Tony Morley will confirm. You will always be a hero to Villa fans of any age.

Tom: After his retirement, Gary supported me at a local kids' football group in my home town of Bromsgrove. He was always very kind and on special occasions would share his favourite Villa stories. I only realise now, as an adult, how special that was to have the chance to be coached by a legend of my club. A true gentleman with passion for the game.

Emma: I was lucky enough to see Gary play the season we won the league in 1981. He and Peter Withe were one the best partnerships you will see. RIP to one of my idols.

Guy: I played many games of golf with Gary. I have to say he was a gentleman. He was humble and grateful for his career, and to those who helped him. I lost touch with him for probably 20 years ago, but saw him recently and he was just the same man. Rip Shawsy. A great man and footballer - shame about his golf! You will be missed by many.

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Youri Tielemans says Aston Villa "don't only want to participate" in the Champions League and are looking to "really make our mark" in their return to the competition.

Villa will play in Europe's top club competition for the first time since 1983 when they face Young Boys in Bern on Tuesday.

"We achieved something really good last season and now we're here playing Champions League," the midfielder said in the pre-match news conference.

"We're really excited to get going. There's always been an ambitious plan before I signed and that's why I bought into it and came to Aston Villa. We've had some really good performances last year and now we're here and we'll try to make the most of it.

"We don't only want to participate in this, we want to really make our mark in this competition.

"We've got some really big games and tomorrow will be the start of that. With the new format every game is really important with the points system. We want to make the most of it and hopefully we can get a win here but it will be really difficult."

Villa will be the sixth different team manager Unai Emery has managed in the Champions League and Tielemans believes the Spaniards' experience will be key if they are to progress in the competition.

"Very important," he added.

"He [Emery] has changed a fair bit since he's been at the club and personally he's improved me a lot as a player and as a man. I understand the game even better than before.

"We saw last year so many times how important he was with his tactical tweaks. He's going to be massive for us."

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game away to Young Boys (17:45 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Leon Bailey will train with the side in Bern this evening and is in the squad to face Young Boys.

• Emery paid tribute to former striker Gary Shaw who died on Monday: "My condolences for the family and all the supporters. We are remembering always. We have in our training ground the team from 1982 with the European Cup and he was one of the protagonists."

• On Villa's return to the Champions League: "We are excited. I think it's a good moment for the club after a long time. Hopefully we can keep it a long time. It's a challenge."

• Emery added that he and his staff are "very motivated", stating: "We can use our own experiences as coaches because we've played in Europe in three competitions. But, the most important experiences is the ones we had last year here together."

• His hopes for the campaign: "I want to be competitive. I want to face every team being competitive like we are in the Premier League. Best in the world are in Champions League and Premier League. How far we can get I don't know but I am not going to refuse any objective in this competition."

• On the challenge posed by Young Boys: "I've played against other teams here [in Switzerland] and it's always very difficult. They are a nice team, they have a lot of pace with strikers and wingers, very good in transition, very good physically."

• He added the artificial pitch Young Boys play on is "no excuse": "Usually we have our training session in Birmingham and then travel but we have our training session here because we want to adapt. We can play like we are."

• Emery is a fan of the new Champions League format: "I prefer this one. I think it needed to change and I think this one is going to be better. Play more matches during the process, not knockout games so quick. I think it is more fair and even more attractive for the supporters."

Follow all of Monday's Champions League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Ged Scott
BBC Sport England

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If Gary Shaw had played in the modern game, he would have won more than just seven England Under-21 caps.

He was more than good enough to have become an established full England international.

Having made his Villa debut early on in the 1978-79 season, Shaw got his chance when Andy Gray was sold to Wolves in September 1979, coupled with the injuries that wrecked Brian Little's career.

Shaw finished Villa top scorer in 1979-80, but it was Ron Saunders' signing of Peter Withe, already a league title winner with Nottingham Forest, as his strike partner up front that transformed Villa.

Together, the combination of big target man Withe and quicksilver Shaw alongside him turned Villa first into league champions in May 1981, then European champions in 1982.

In the league, as part of a Villa side that used just 14 players in 42 games, they notched a combined 38 goals (Withe's 20 to Shaw's 18) to earn the club a first league title in 71 years.

And, although the goals comparatively dried in the league the following season as Shaw missed 16 games through injury, he and Withe both scored three times each en route to beating Bayern Munich 1-0 to win the European Cup in Rotterdam.

Other than scoring in the two-leg European Super Cup win over Barcelona the following season, that night in Rotterdam turned out to be the highlight of Shaw's career when, in September 1983, he sustained the knee injury that ultimately ended his career.

He carried on playing in Denmark and Austria, as well as at Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury Town, before finishing in Hong Kong in 1992.

But he remained involved in football through his work as a statistical analyst, supplying in-match data for home games at both Villa and Kidderminster Harriers, where he also became a regular, popular figure.

And, in later seasons, he was also involved back at Villa as a club ambassador, still fondly remembered by doe-eyed fans, journalists and ex-team-mates as 'Shawsy', the blond bombshell striker with the surest of touches in front of goal.

What are your memories of Shaw? Have your say here, external

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Aston Villa have paid tribute to club legend Gary Shaw, who has died aged 63 from injuries sustained in a fall.

He helped Villa win the 1981 league title and the European Cup in 1982, after coming through the youth ranks at his boyhood club, and went on to score 79 goals in 213 games for the West Midlands club.

"Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away.

"Gary was one of our own - a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s.

"Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolised by many on the terraces.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Gary's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time."

Did you see Shaw play for Aston Villa? What are your memories of the European Cup-winning striker? Have your say here, external

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Aston Villa will be the sixth different team Unai Emery has managed in the Champions League, following spells with Valencia, Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, Paris Saint Germain and Villarreal.

The only manager who has taken charge of more than six different sides in the competition is Carlo Ancelotti with eight.

And according to the Opta predictor, Villa have a 0.2 per cent chance of winning the competition, with Manchester City most likely to lift the trophy at 24.9 per cent.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Aston Villa are ready to upset the European establishment again, according to former goalkeeper Nigel Spink.

The 66-year-old - who won the European Cup when Villa beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in 1982 - expects Unai Emery's side to provide some shocks this season.

Villa return to the competition for the first time since 1983 when they travel to Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday.

They also host Bayern Munich, Juventus, Bologna and Celtic, and travel to Club Bruge, RB Leipzig and Monaco.

"It's an open field and they've got a free shot in some ways. They will be one of those clubs who some won't think about going far into the competition," said Spink.

"We were in the same situation in '82 - no-one gave us a chance and look what happened. I'm not saying they're going to get to the final and win it, but they need to go and enjoy it.

"The pressure comes when you're Manchester City and expected to get to the final. They can play their football, relax and see how many big guns they can frighten along the way."

Spink made just his second Villa appearance when he replaced the injured Jimmy Rimmer after only 10 minutes of the final in Rotterdam 42 years ago.

He went on to make 468 appearances for the club, before leaving for West Brom in 1996.

Villa reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals last term, losing to Olympiakos, and Spink believes that experience will help them going into this season's new-look Champions League, with the league stage not finishing until January.

He added: "I would argue it might be a bit easier on them this year. The Champions League is Tuesday and Wednesday, while last year they were playing on Thursday and then the Sunday. That becomes an issue and that's a tougher competition to be involved in."

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Sandra: What a goal - pure class. What more does Duran have to do to start a match? Again, very poor defending nearly allowed Everton to make it 3-3. Villa showed courage and did not panic. A good rehearsal for Tuesday's match against Young Boys.

David: The excitement of a comeback and an absolute screamer mask another game where we haven't kept a clean sheet. Would be nice for Rogers to add goals to his great performances because he has the potential to set the league alight. Solid start to the season all round though.

Ian: Terrific, exciting game - but once again Villa make it hard for themselves. We need to improve defensively because we're giving away too many chances. However, going forward we're creating plenty of chances . We could - and should - have scored half a dozen. Great to see Ollie back in the goals and what can you say about Duran's winner? Now looking forward to the Champions League game.

Everton fans

Barry: Another inept defensive display. Defensive solidity is supposedly Dyche’s hallmark - without that we are worse than useless. This has all the signs of Dyche’s final season at Burnley when he took them down. Burnley’s board left it too late - with Everton totally rudderless, will we make the same mistake?

Tommy: I will say it again - there is no need to panic yet! There are many positive aspects to the game that bode well for the future. Yes, we've squandered another 2-0 lead. We will not end up in the top six, but we will not end up in the bottom three. There are at least four or five teams worse than us. Get behind Sean and the team. We will be OK!

Richard: It's a hard watch. Great to score two goals at Villa Park, but any Evertonian worth their salt knows two is never enough these days with that defence. Yes, we could have scored more - but we didn't. As has happened so many times in the past, another worldie did for us! Deja vu - for all the wrong reasons!

Gary Linker brings you highlights and analysis from Saturday's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton