Aston Villa marked their return to the UEFA Champions League with an impressive 3-0 victory over Swiss side Young Boys at the Wankdorf Stadium on September 17, 2024. This was Villa’s first Champions League match in 41 years.
Manager Unai Emery had urged his team to secure a win as a tribute to the club’s former striker Gary Shaw, who passed away on Monday at the age of 63 following an accident. Shaw was a key figure in Villa’s historic 1982 European Cup win against Bayern Munich. In his honor, Villa players wore black armbands and the team’s performance was especially poignant.
The match began with Villa’s Youri Tielemans scoring the opening goal in the 27th minute. Tielemans, donning the number eight shirt that Shaw famously wore, celebrated by pointing to his jersey. Jacob Ramsey added a second goal before halftime, following a mistake by Young Boys’ Mohamed Ali Camara, who inadvertently passed the ball to David von Ballmoos under pressure. Ramsey capitalized on the opportunity, scoring from close range.
Amadou Onana sealed the win with a powerful 20-yard shot in the 86th minute, completing a memorable night for Villa.
The victory is significant for Villa, who returned to the Champions League after a surprising fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season. Their group stage includes upcoming matches against Bayern Munich and Juventus, adding to the excitement of their European campaign.
Villa’s meticulous preparations, including an early training session at the stadium, paid off as they navigated Young Boys’ initial pressure. The win was celebrated by the fans, including a good luck message from noted Villa supporter Prince William.
