Peter Lynch

Fri 1 December 2023 7:10, UK

Aston Villa continued their fine run under Unai Emery with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Legia Warsaw at Villa Park.

The Midlands club emerged victorious from their Europa Conference League clash with the Polish outfit on Thursday (30 November).

Star winger Moussa Diaby netted the opener after just four minutes, only for Ernest Muci to level the scores 16 minutes later.

But a very unlikely source turned up with the winner for Emery, with left-back Alex Moreno grabbing his side’s second just before the hour mark on what was his first start of the season.

The defender has been named on the bench a handful of times lately, having not featured for Villa since his hamstring injury that he suffered against Liverpool back in May.

But the 30-year-old made a dramatic return to the pitch at Villa Park, with his goal blowing away Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie.

Speaking on Sky Sports News (9.18pm, 30 November), as quoted by Sky Sports, the former Aston Villa midfielder said of the goal: “Moreno, an unusual suspect, popped up at the far post. He had to adjust with his right foot and hit a lovely shot into the roof of the net.”

But it wasn’t just in that area where Moreno impressed, with the Spaniard completing 82% of his passes, completing his only dribble attempt, and making two clearances during his 79 minutes on the pitch [Sofascore].

Given his lack of game time this season, it is likely that Lucas Digne will regain his starting spot at left-back for the trip to Bournemouth on Sunday (3 December), but his deputy did his chances of another start no harm.

Digne did, however, impress at Villa Park once again when he replaced Moreno with just over 10 minutes remaining, with the former registering a 100% pass success rate, completing his one attempted cross and one attempted long ball [Sofascore].

In other Aston Villa news, Emery may be left with no choice but to axe one player after his 0% shocker against Tottenham.