Aston Villa 3-2 RB Salzburg: Jimoh-Aloba scores late winner as Villa secure 2nd place in Europa League | OneFootball

Aston Villa completed their Europa League league phase with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Red Bull Salzburg at Villa Park to preserve a perfect home record in the competition.

Already qualified for the knockout stage, Unai Emery’s side showed resilience and depth to overturn a two-goal deficit and finish second in the standings.

The night, however, was tempered by fresh injury concerns after Ollie Watkins was forced off in the first half.

Villa began brightly despite significant rotation.

Harvey Elliott, making his first appearance in almost four months, went close inside 30 seconds, only for Salzburg goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to block with his heel.

That early intensity faded and the visitors grew into the contest.

Emiliano Martinez was required to make a sharp double save to deny Soumaila Diabate and Karim Konate as Salzburg pressed with confidence.

The opening goal arrived after a defensive lapse.

Tyrone Mings was caught in possession near his own box, allowing Edmund Baidoo to steal in and square for Konate, whose mishit effort was turned over the line.

Worse followed for Villa before the interval.

Watkins pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Morgan Rogers, adding to Emery’s growing injury list.

Salzburg struck again shortly after the restart.

Kerim Alajbegovic wriggled free down the left and delivered a low cross that substitute Moussa Yeo flicked neatly into the net.

At 2-0, Villa looked vulnerable.

The response was swift and decisive.

Just after the hour, Rogers combined sharply with Emiliano Buendia before sliding a composed finish inside the near post.

The goal lifted both the tempo and belief inside Villa Park.

Villa pushed forward with greater urgency and Salzburg began to retreat.

Mings redeemed himself with 14 minutes remaining, rising highest to head home Matty Cash’s inswinging cross and level the score.

The momentum was now firmly with the hosts.

Emery turned to his bench and was rewarded late on.

Two teenagers combined to complete the turnaround.

Kadan Young drove into the area and picked out Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, who side-footed a calm finish into the corner in the 87th minute.

It was Jimoh-Aloba’s first senior goal and a memorable moment on his European debut.

Salzburg pressed in stoppage time but could not respond.

The final whistle confirmed Villa’s seventh straight home win in Europe.

They finish the league phase with seven victories from eight matches and significant momentum heading into the knockouts.

The concern now centres on Watkins, with Villa hoping the striker’s injury does not undermine their progress at a crucial point of the season.

On the pitch, however, Villa once again found a way.