{"id":1365053,"date":"2024-10-02T21:58:23","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T20:58:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1365053"},"modified":"2024-10-02T22:11:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T21:11:07","slug":"aston-villa-bayern-munich-ollie-watkins-jhon-duran","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/aston-villa-bayern-munich-ollie-watkins-jhon-duran\/","title":{"rendered":"Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran combine perfectly as Aston Villa secure 1-0 win over Bayern Munich"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unai Emery got his striker usage perfect as Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran starred to help Aston Villa<\/a> beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The biggest game to be played at Villa Park for a long time, the Villans welcomed six-time European champions Bayern Munich to their home. In the build up to the match, there were a few comparisons between Watkins and Harry Kane, the two English strikers on show for both sides. With Lee Carsley set to name his England squad on Thursday and two games against Greece and Finland coming up, Watkins will have hoped to stake his claim for the No.9 shirt.<\/p>\n

Watkins had a goal disallowed in Aston Villa’s Champions League opener against Young Boys, but did record an assist. That has come as part of a good run for Watkins, who had started the 2024-25 season slowly.<\/p>\n

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In the Premier League, Watkins has scored four goals in his past three matches, and recorded a goal and an assist against Ipswich at the weekend. But this was a new test.<\/p>\n

And he didn’t do his chances any harm. From the start of the game, Villa’s plan was clear. They were set up to defend, soak up the Bayern pressure and hit them on the counter. Watkins was key to this plan, especially as Bayern were playing such a high line.<\/p>\n

Vincent Kompany is a very attacking manager, and stuck with a high line against Villa. There were a few occasions where Bayern’s deepest outfield player was inside the Villa half. Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand described the tactic as “borderline stupidity at times”, with Dayot Upamecano struggling.<\/p>\n

Upamecano was often the deepest Bayern centre-back, and the man having to deal with Watkins. And it’s a battle he lost.<\/p>\n

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Bayern\u2019s last 42 Champions League group stage\/league phase games:<\/p>\n

WWWWWDWWWDWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWDWWL<\/p>\n

Jhon Duran scores his fourth winning goal as a substitute in 2024\/25 to end the streak. ?#UCL<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/oyh5SQXE8t<\/a><\/p>\n

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 2, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n