Aston Villa lose five-goal thriller to kick off European campaign | OneFootball

Aston Vill marked their return to Europe with an opening night defeat at the hands of Conference League Group E rivals Legia Warsaw.

Scorers: Wszołek 3′, Muçi 26′, 51′ ; Durán 6′, Digne 38′

There was drama from the start in Warsaw. The hosts snatched the lead just three minutes into the game through Paweł Wszołek, who fired home from the top of the box.

But Villa responded swiftly, as Jhon Durán headed in the leveller from point-blank range after Nicolò Zaniolo’s lashed effort rang off the crossbar.

The visitors appeared to settle into the raucous atmosphere, but they were rocked once again when Ernest Muçi darted in behind the Villa defence before snatching Legia lead once again.

Unai Emery’s had not run out of resiliency just yet however, and it was Lucas Digne who fired home to reclaim parity before the break, capping off a breathless opening 45 minutes.

The rollercoaster affair picked up right where it left off after the break, and Legia reclaimed their lead through another Ernest Muçi strike from the edge of the box, much to the frustration of Unai Emery.

Villa pushed to find yet another equaliser but the Legia rearguard remained resolute, and the Polish club held on to secure a gutsy victory against the Premier League side.