Aston Villa started their first Champions League campaign since 1983 in fine style as Unai Emery’s men swept Young Boys aside in Bern.
Youri Tielemans kicked off the victory with a fine finish after a well-worked corner, before Jacob Ramsey grabbed a two-goal cushion from close range just before half-time.
Amadou Onana sealed the result late on with a superb, drilled strike into the bottom corner, after Villa previously had goals ruled out by Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran.
Here are four things learnt from the Villains’ dominant performance over the Swiss champions:
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Villa have the quality to challenge in the UCL
Yesterday's display proved that Villa have the quality and nouse to compete in Europe’s elite club competition.
Unai Emery rotated his defence at the interval and there were still no gaps for Patrick Rahman’s side to exploit, as they failed to create a big chance throughout the contest.
Villa’s midfield is balanced brilliantly with tenacity and creativity, with Onana and Tielemans both helping out in all areas of the pitch.
John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers are a creative force that supply a brilliant striking duo, who look just as dangerous whether John Duran or Ollie Watkins are the focal point.
Young Boys have endured a torrid start to their Swiss League campaign, with just three points from the opening six fixtures, and Villa will have harder tests to come, not least when Bayern Munich visit Birmingham in two weeks.
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Duran and Watkins provide a constant threat
Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins have a shout for being the best striker pairing in the Premier League.
Other clubs may have on number nine with quality, but having two consistent goal-scorers in your armoury is an asset that not many squads can boast.
Neither got their Champions League tally off the mark, but they were a constant nuisance to the Young Boys back line and both did have the ball in the net, only for both to be disallowed for handball.
Duran’s early season form has been especially promising, with three goals in four substitute appearances, including a wonder strike that completed Villa’s thrilling comeback win over Everton last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Watkins netted 27 goals in Claret and Blue last season and will be tough to shift from his starting spot, with the current plan of swapping the pair after an hour working perfectly for Emery.
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Rogers is a key creative force for Unai Emery
Morgan Rogers has started all of Villa’s opening five encounters and has taken his opportunity with both hands, despite a lack of goal contributions for the 22-year-old to date.
The number 27 created four chances in the contest, the most of any in the match, supplying both strikers with incisive passes and clever touches to break through the opposition.
With more performances like tonight, the numbers will come for Rogers, following a very impressive loan stint at Middlesbrough for the first half of last campaign, in which he bagged seven goals and nine assists in 33 appearances.
The 22-year-old highlighted his importance in Bern and will have a major role to play in every competition for the Villains this season.
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Could a lack of squad depth be a problem for Villa?
Newcastle United proved that the jump into the Champions League can be a huge burden on squad depth last season when their Premier League form suffered as injuries piled up on Tyneside.
Villa’s bench in Switzerland contained two goalkeepers and three outfield players aged under 21.
The current treatment room at Bodymoor Heath contains Boubacar Kamara, Tyrone Mings, Robin Olsen and Matty Cash.
All are expected back within the next two months, but fixture congestion could prove problematic and squad depth could be a major issue in the coming months.
Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey have returned from the sidelines, adding much-needed cover in forward areas.
Defensively, Diego Carlos provides excellent back-up for Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres, but should one of those three pick up a knock Villa’s resources could be stretched.
