A late strike from Ross Barkley kept Aston Villa on course for the last 16 of the Champions League at RB Leipzig. The visitors led early on when John McGinn fired home from an Ollie Watkins knock-down, but an error from keeper Emiliano Martinez saw Lois Openda level before the break.
But brought on for Watkins at half-time, Jhon Duran hammered in from outside the area on 52 minutes, only for Christoph Baumgartner to soon level again with a crisp volley.
With five minutes remaining, super sub Barkley grabbed his first ever goal in the competition with his strike taking a huge ricochet off Lukas Klostermann on its way into the net.
Express Sport runs the rule over the Villa players after a dramatic night…
Emiliano Martinez – 5
It looked like a rare nightmare evening for the Argentinian keeper. Appeared to completely fail to see Openda coming for the first Leipzig goal, allowing the forward to latch onto a long ball, skip round him, and tap home. Made two crucial saves in the dying minutes as Villa held on though.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Pushed forward well when Villa went forward and was prepared to offer himself in attack
Diego Carlos – 7
Rock solid as the much-talked-about Benjamin Sesko was kept quiet.
Pau Torres – 5
A mixed night. Brought the ball out of defence superbly in the early stages, and made one vital defensive clearance before the break. But also played his part in the Martinez mix-up, and one late slip nearly let Openda in again.
Lucas Digne – 7
Like Konsa, was happy to press forward. Linked well at one point with Watkins in the first half and tested home keeper Peter Gulacsi at 2-2 as Villa pushed for a late winner.
Boubacar Kamara – 6
Assured in possession but produced a tame effort when a big chance fell his way in the first half.
Youri Tielemans – 7
While his final ball could have been more accurate at times, was at the heart of most of what the visitors did. Kept possession well and remains a crucial player for Emery.
Morgan Rogers – 8
A regular threat and again showcased his ability to beat players. Deserved more for his display.
John McGinn – 7
Gave his team the perfect start but faded after the early stages. Was hauled off with 14 minutes left.
Matty Cash – 7
It was his cross that found Watkins for the opener and then came close to making it 2-0 from a tight angle. But like McGinn, not the same force in the later stages and was taken off.
Ollie Watkins – 7
Created a goal, ran tirelessly, and had a strike himself ruled out for offside. Normally, you would say unlucky to be replaced at half-time, but few can argue with Jhon Duran’s immediate impact.
Subs:
Duran (for Watkins, HT) – 9
Just six minutes after coming on, made it 2-1 with a dipping long-range shot. Had the ball in the net again moments later before VAR cruelly intervened. Once again, sensational impact.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (for Cash, 71) – 5
Failed to make a real impression.
Emi Buenda (for McGinn, 76) – 6
Little time to make an impact but couldn’t get himself involved after coming on.
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 83) – 5
One fluffed clearance at the death left Villa fans with hearts in their mouths.
Ross Barkley (for Tielemans, 83) – 7
Huge element of fortune about his goal but sent on to add an extra dimension, and did just that.