Barcelona 3-0 Aston Villa: Barcelona end Villa’s unbeaten start
Updated: 6 hours ago
Barcelona beat Aston Villa 3-0 in the League Phase of the Champions League.
The home side took the lead early through Lamine Yamal, before extending their lead through a Raphinha brace in the second-half.
The result moves Barcelona back into the Champions League’s automatic qualification places.
Villa Rue Missed Chances
Barcelona scored the first goal of the game after seven minutes, courtesy of Yamal’s curling finish.
The right-winger intercepted an errant pass from Villa’s Joao Gomes, and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
The visitors grew into the game from that point onwards however, with striker Nicolas Jackson and wingers Emiliano Buendia and Johan Manzambi both making runs to exploit Barcelona’s high line.
Villa’s best chance of the first-half came when Jackson broke through the home side’s backline and crossed the ball to Manzambi, who dragged his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Jackson himself was denied one minute later by a well-timed tackle from Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, when the Senegalese striker was threatening to run through on goal.
The Home Side Hit Top Gear
An injury for central midfielder Rodri forced Barcelona to replace the Spanish international with the more attacking minded Marc Bernal at half-time.
The led to the home side playing more assertively in midfield early in the second-half, and prioritising build-up play through central areas, rather than via the wing partnership of Yamal and Anthony Gordon.
This tactical change proved successful when Fermin Lopez found Raphinha at the edge of the penalty area in the 52nd minute.
The Brazilian striker’s shot took a deflection which wrong-footed Suzuki, and doubled Barcelona’s lead.
Left-back Joao Cancelo fired over from the edge of the area five minutes later, before finding Raphinha with a cross from a wide area in the 65th minute.
Raphinha met the ball at the front post, and slotted past Suzuki to effectively seal the game for Barcelona.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery brought several attacking players off the bench late on, including creative midfielder Ross Barkley and striker Tammy Abraham.
Midfield substitute Leon Goretzka headed captain John McGinn’s corner against the post for Villa’s closest effort of the second-half.
Barkley also fired over from close range during stoppage time.
Villa remain in a strong position to finish in the top eight of the Champions League’s League Phase, and qualify directly for the last 16.
Emery’s side have now failed to win any of their last three games in all competitions however.
Player of the Match: Lamine Yamal
Yamal’s composed finish inside the first ten minutes set the tone for the match, and gave Barcelona a lead they would never relinquish.
He provided a constant threat, often out-sprinting Villa left-back Ian Maatsen, and forcing several strong saves from Suzuki.
Yamal’s form will be crucial to allowing Barcelona to compete on multiple fronts this season, especially following the injury to right-wing understudy Roony Bardghji.
What’s Next?
Barcelona face a trip to Atletico Madrid on Sunday, as the top two teams on La Liga face off before the international break.
Hansi Flick’s side will return from the break to face Villareal in La Liga on Sunday November 22nd, and travel to Sabah in the Champions League three days later.
Their next Champions League home game will be against Manchester City on Tuesday December 8th.
Aston Villa will visit a struggling Manchester United side in the Premier League on Sunday, before hosting Sunderland on Saturday November 21st, and travelling to Galatasaray in the Champions League the following Tuesday.
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