Tremendous-sub Barkley snatches winner as Villa edge thriller with Leipzig

Ross Barkley got here off the bench to attain a late deflected winner as Aston Villa took an enormous step in the direction of computerized qualification for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage with a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig.

Villa twice led a breathless encounter in Germany through targets from captain John McGinn (3′) and free-scoring substitute Jhon Duran (52′), just for Marco Rose’s facet to hit again in type in opposition to the Premier League guests by Lois Openda (27′) and Christoph Baumgartner (62′).

However Unai Emery’s facet sealed a merited win on 85 minutes when Barkley noticed a speculative effort take an enormous deflection off Lukas Klostermann to nestle within the residence internet.

Villa transfer onto 13 factors from six matches, third within the standings, however Leipzig’s forgettable marketing campaign is over after a sixth-straight defeat.

Emery’s facet most likely made it onerous for themselves in opposition to a spirited residence staff with some defensive lapses enabling Leipzig to stay within the hunt till the closing moments for a primary level of the competitors.

However the Premier League staff received the job finished ultimately, which is all that issues.

With 15 factors being deemed more likely to be ok to complete inside the highest eight, the previous European champions solely want yet another win or two extra attracts to keep away from the playoff spherical, which might be an achievement in itself.

They go to Monaco on January 21 of their penultimate group-stage fixture, earlier than ending off in opposition to Scottish champions Celtic at Villa Park on January 29.

Emery will need to full the job with a sport to spare.

Simply an excellent finisher, who should marvel what he has to do begin for Villa regularly. Scored a beautiful opener from distance after changing Ollie Watkins on the break, and was solely denied a scientific second moments later by a marginal offside name in opposition to Matty Money in setting the Colombian ahead as much as end.

RB Leipzig: Gulacsi 6, Geertruida 6, Orban 6, Nusa 7, Haidara 6, Openda 8, Seiwald 7, Baumgartner 8, Vermeeren 6, Sesko 6, Henrichs 6 Subs: Klostermann 6, Andre Silva 6, Kampl 6

Aston Villa: Martinez 7, Money 7, Carlos 6, Konsa 6, Pau Torres 6, Digne 7, Kamara 6, Tielemans 7, McGinn 7, Rogers 7, Watkins 6 Subs: Nedeljkovic 6, Maatsen 6, Barkley 7, Duran 8, Buendía 6

3′ GOAL! RB LEIPZIG 0-1 ASTON VILLA (MCGINN) A fiftieth profession objective from the Villa skipper. As straightforward as you want. Watkins with the header again down from the Money cross and McGinn arrives to tuck the ball into the online. A dream begin in Germany.

25′ GOAL! (OPENDA) RB LEIPZIG 1-1 ASTON VILLA Proper out of nothing the house facet are degree as Lois Openda punishes some hesitancy within the Villa defence. Emiliano Martinez does not come for a Nicolas Seiwald ball over prime, and Openda rounds the keeper to slide residence the equaliser.

52′ GOAL! RB LEIPZIG 1-2 ASTON VILLA (DURAN) And that could be a wonderful end from super-sub Duran as the trouble from distance dips over the house goalkeeper Gulacsi, who ought to actually be doing rather a lot higher. Unsure why he’s up to now off his line.

58′ VILLA GOAL RULED OFFSIDE Glorious low end by Duran from the Money cross as Villa seem to maneuver 3-1 clear, however VAR confirms Money went too early earlier than he supplied the help.

61′ GOAL! (BAUMGARTNER) RB LEIPZIG 2-2 ASTON VILLA Christoph Baumgartner with a shocking end on the volley from the chipped cross by Openda. Solely their second shot of the night time, and they’re degree at 2-2.

85′ GOAL! RB LEIPZIG 2-3 ASTON VILLA (BARKLEY) A lucky objective as sub Barkley slips as he fires a shot at objective, but it surely takes an enormous deflection off Klostermann earlier than nestling within the residence internet. How fortunate is that? However all of them rely.