Matt Maher analysis after Aston Villa pick up first win of season against Bologna

Express & Star

Matt Maher gives his take as Villa pick up their first win of the season against Bologna.

Transcript

00:00Good evening from Villa Park where Villa have finally got their first win of the season.

00:06They beat Bologna 1-0 here tonight in the Europa League.

00:10John McGinn with another big goal in a Villa career that's had many of them.

00:1513th minute, fine shot from outside the box and that was enough to secure Villa the victory.

00:21They should have really won this game by more.

00:24The first half tonight was much more like it from Villa's perspective, particularly going forward.

00:28Daniel Marlon, Evan Gessam both had the effort saved by the goalkeeper who then in the second half denied Olly Watkins from the penalty spot.

00:37Not a great night again for Watkins.

00:41Missed a big opportunity there to get his season up and running with his first goal.

00:46And then at the end, a big save from Marco Bezo who once again in a Villa Park game this season was deputised for Emi Martinez.

00:55I mean Martin has missed the game through injury.

00:58Bezo with a big save to deny Martin Wittick right at the end and preserved Villa's victory.

01:04Not pretty, but the win was enough and it was probably deserved, you know, over the 90 minutes.

01:09As I said, Villa could have put the game to bed in the first half.

01:13Not another great night for Morgan Rogers.

01:15He struggled again and towards the end of the game was subjected to ironic cheers from sections of the Villa Park crowd when he completed a pass.

01:24Which seemed pretty harsh.

01:27Well, it seemed incredibly harsh to be honest.

01:28You know, Rogers obviously a young player.

01:32You know, he's clearly struggling.

01:34Unai Emery after the game, interesting comments from the Villa manager.

01:37Basically said, look, you know, he's going to have to, that Rogers would have to accept the criticism from supporters.

01:43And that's basically said that he kept him on the pitch because he felt the experience would be valuable.

01:48There was really a strong case for taking Rogers off at some stage tonight.

01:51You know, he didn't have a great performance.

01:53Emery keeping him on because he believes that it will be beneficial in the long run and he will grow from it.

02:02So we'll see.

02:04Rogers will be hoped to be better on Sunday.

02:06Villa will probably need to be better if they want to beat Fulham and continue this, well, this lift.

02:12But the mood, at least for a few days, is a bit brighter.

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