Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley was delighted to come off the bench late on and score his first career Champions League goal as the Villans beat RB Leipzig 3-2
in Europe on Tuesday. The Villans had twice led at half-time and levelled in each half but Barkley came on in the 83rd minute to make a deflected effort. From outside the box to seal the points.
Barkley, who returned to Villa Park from Luton Town in the summer, has started just three games in all competitions since the start of the season. But is happy to be helping the team:
“That’s the role of someone coming off the bench. I’m happy to score the winner,” said ยูฟ่าเบท the 31-year-old. After scoring his first Champions League goal in 11 appearances in the competition.
“Jon Duran has caused quite a stir as well. We’ve got two top strikers battling it out now which is great.
The result lifts Villa into third place, their automatic qualification hopes wide open, and co-manager Unai Emery credits the substitutes:
“We planned from the start to bring the substitutes on if needed. Watkins had a little injury and Duran came on to score,” the Spanish head coach said in an interview.
“Buendia and Barkley were also involved in the third goal, which is what every head coach wants. Today’s win means we can be contenders for the top eight and we will try to do that.”