Champions League

UNAI EMERY was left fuming with the fourth official during Aston Villa’s 3-0 demolition of Swiss side Young Boys.A bizarre admin error meant the wrong Villa player was subbed off in the 89th minute.Unai Emery was fuming with the officials during his team’s win over Young BoysCredit: APThe Villa boss made a triple sub late in the game – but it didn’t go to planCredit: TNT SportsEmery was left raging after the pitch side official put the wrong number up on the board.The Villa boss saw his team wrap up the win thanks to a strike from Amadou Onana with just five minutes remaining. He reportedly intended to remove Onana from the fray as he lined up a triple substitution. The numbers went up on the board, with Emiliano Buendia, Ross Barkley and Ian Maatsen entering the field. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSLucas Digne and goalscorers Jacob Ramsey and Youri Tielemans were the players removed – but that didn’t appear to be Emery’s plan. The 52-year-old be seen going wild on the touchline at the match-day officials. Per Uefa Article 56 rules, the number put up on the officials board must match the number of the player that is taken off. Teams cannot change it after.Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe exchange didn’t go unnoticed by fans on X, with one laughing: “lol Villa subbed the wrong guy.”Another added: “They took the wrong Villa player off!”Emery ripped up his own transfer handbook to sign Villa sensation Morgan Rogers, who says HE invented Palmer celebrationAfter going 2-0 up in the first half, Villa had two goals ruled out as they cruised to a comfortable win in Switzerland. They finally made the game safe through Onana, the 23-year-old crashing a low daisy-cutter into the bottom left from 25 yards with keeper Von Ballmoos at full stretch.It sealed an emphatic return to the Champions League for Villa following a 41-year absence. Next up for Emery’s side are Bayern Munich on October 2. New Champions League formatEach club will play eight matches in the opening phase – against seeded opposition, in a system designed to ensure that teams play opponents of similar difficulty.The top eight teams in the “final” table will automatically go through to the last 16, where they will be joined by the eight play-off winners of ties between the sides placed ninth to 24th in the table.Despite there being just eight matches in the opening phase, European matches will be spread over 10 midweek slots.The new Champions League format also sees the implication of two additional qualifying spots.They will be awarded to the nations that are top of the “country coefficient” chart each season.They then welcome Italians Bologna to Villa Park before paying a visit to Belgian outfit Club Brugge in November.However, Villa fans have been left furious by the club’s Champions League ticket prices.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe cheapest adult seat appears to start at £85, with the price climbing to £94 and then £97 for premier tickets.For season ticket holders this scales back to £70, £79 and £82. More

ASTON VILLA kicked off their first ever Champions League campaign with a comfortable win, dedicated to club legend Gary Shaw.Unai Emery’s men produced a performance worthy of their sadly departed European Cup-winning striker, who might have been watching over their successful return to the stage he once graced.Jacob Ramsey celebrates making it 2-0 in Aston Villa’s smooth winCredit: APYouri Tielemans powered the opener in SwitzerlandCredit: RexFirst half goals from Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey put Villa in firm command before the break.And they could even afford the luxury of TWO harshly disallowed goals from Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran after French VAR Willy Delajod spotted handball offences.Both appeared to be flawed interventions however as the ball had crashed off Watkins chest first and his goal should have stood – as should Duran’s who was penalised for an Amadou Onana handball SIX passes earlier!However this was a performance loaded with the energy, speed and opportunistic finishing which were Shaw’s trademarks in his pomp.READ MORE TOP STORIESVilla’s players and manager Unai Emery wore black armbands to respect their fallen star while their travelling support chanted: “He gets the ball and he scores a goal, Gary, Gary Shaw.”And there was more joy in the second-half when Onana wrapped up a convincing win to leave Villa fans chanting: “We are top of the league!”According to local legend, Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen, the founder of Bern, vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on a hunt.It turned out to be a bear and a bear still features on Bern’s coat of arms.Most read in Champions LeagueRamsey slotted Villa’s simple second goalCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSince the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit, the Bärengraben, to house its heraldic animals. Fortunately, Unai Emery’s men made sure that Young Boys came to a grizzly end here in the Swiss capital as they gave them a bit of a mauling!Watch incredible moment goalkeeper scores late equaliser as former Champions League club rebuild in fourth tierAlbert Einstein worked out his theory of relativity while living in Bern.But it didn’t take a genius to work out that Bern were a class below Villa and that this really was a case of men against Young Boys!Patrick Rahmen’s strugglers are currently rooted to the bottom of the Swiss Super League, winless after six games. Bern made a spirited start when Emi Martinez was called on to save from Filip Ugrinic and Ebrima Colley, before Colley then rippled the roof of the net with a screamer which had Martinez flapping.But Villa soon found their feet on Bern’s plastic surface.Although Jacob Ramsey decided to change his boots after 18 minutes as he tried to get to grips with the game and the dodgy surface!It turned out he had packed his scoring boots because it was his bizarre goal which gave Villa a two-goal cushion and ended any real threat from the Swiss.It took Villa until midway through the first  half to threaten when Watkins nodded a booming Emi Martinez clearance into John McGinn’s path.But the marauding Scot’s shot flashed over.However three minutes later Villa were ahead with a goal straight from the training ground as set-piece coach Austin McPhee earned his corn again.Amadou Onana enjoys his late glory for Unai Emery’s menCredit: ReutersTielemans hails his historic openerCredit: RexLucas Digne played a short corner to McGinn who delivered deep to the back post.And Youri Tielemans had time to take a touch before blasting the ball low through a sea of bodies into the far corner.It was Villa’s first goal at this level for 41 years but 11 minutes later they doubled their advantage as Young Boys imploded.Morgan Rogers’ low shot was blocked by Zoukrou and the ball fell to Mo Camara whose disastrous pass back was pounced on by Watkins.However, the striker was felled by goalie David von Ballmoos who clattered him over to concede what appeared a certain penalty.But with the ball lodged between Watkins legs, Ramsey had the good sense to force it out and tap into the net as Bulgarian ref Georgi Kabakov played a brilliant advantage.What a pity his French VAR Delajod didn’t do the same.Instead he stepped in to disallow Watkins’ goal after the England striker smashed a shot off Zoukrou then swept the rebound home – off an arm according to Delajod.The eagle eyed Frenchman was at it again after the break when he controversially disallowed a goal from sub Jhon Duran.The Colombian kid took a pass from Ramsey in his stride to bullet hom a low shot from outside the box.Duran then taunted the ultras behind the goal by standing on the advertising boards to celebrate in front of them.But the smile was wiped from his face after the VAR disallowed the goal for a handball by Onana – SIX passes BEFORE Duran’s shot.However Villa had the last word and what a statement it was as Tielemans picked out Amadou Onana who thundered a rocket beyond the bemused Von Ballmoos from 25 yards. READ MORE SUN STORIESThat goal may have been made in Belgium but last night belonged to the memory of a very special Brummie.Onana saved the best until last for the VillansCredit: AFP More

FANS were more amused than awe-struck as a comical goal stole the spotlight in Aston Villa’s first-ever Champions League game.Youri Tielemans struck the opener before Jacob Ramsey profited from a bizarre string of blunders to double Villa’s lead.Mohamed Ali Camara sparked chaos by passing the ball back to his keeperFans were transfixed by the series of events for Villa’s second goalRamsey couldn’t believe his luck as he made it 2-0Credit: GettyA string of odd incidents led to that second goal, leaving one supporter asking: “What in the Sunday League is that?”Defender Mohamed Ali Camara made the biggest pair of blunders.First he made the strange choice to pass back to keeper David von Ballmoos in the middle of a crowded box.Then he rendered that decision even worse – with a terrible delivery.READ MORE TOP STORIESVon Ballmoos’ attempts to put it right only made the whole situation more ridiculous.That’s because the Swiss stopper ended up booting Ollie Watkins, who tumbled over as he appeared to claim for a penalty.And it was Villa academy product Ramsey who had the only normal part in the strike – pouncing from close range to tap in. One fan responded: “The fun goal of the evening…. a big misunderstanding.”Most read in Champions LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother called it”a blooper like a movie”.And a third posted: “It’s a messy goal – but he’s one of our own.”Canelo bursts into laughter as he’s interviewed by Champions League streaker after rude fan requestWatkins then had a goal disallowed in first-half stoppage time.Villa have never played in Europe’s top club competition under its current format before.And their last goal in the old European Cup was a quarter-final strike from Peter Withe in 1983 – their final season in that competition. Young Boys boss Patrick Rahmen was left speechless at his side’s defendingCredit: Getty More