Key Takeaways:
- Aston Villa overturned a two-goal deficit to claim a 3-2 win against Red Bull Salzburg
- Villa secured second place in their group and advanced to the round of 16 with this result
- Striker Ollie Watkins suffered a hamstring injury
Match Analysis: Dramatic Comeback at Villa Park
Aston Villa demonstrated remarkable resilience in their final Europa League main stage fixture, overcoming Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 despite falling two goals behind. The Austrian visitors drew first blood through Karim Konaté and Moussa Yeo, establishing what looked to be a commanding advantage.
However, Villa responded with determination: Morgan Rogers halved the deficit, re-energising the home crowd. Centre-back Tyrone Mings restored parity 15 minutes from time. The match reached its crescendo in the 87th minute when 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba found the net, completing the comeback and delivering the victory.
COMEBACK COMPLETE 🤩 #UEL pic.twitter.com/g8UNBPadHH
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2026
Squad Setbacks Overshadow Victory
The jubilant scenes were marred by an injury to Ollie Watkins, who was forced off after sustaining a hamstring issue. The setback further depletes Unai Emery’s options, as Villa are already contending with the long-term absences of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara for the remainder of the campaign.
Table: Match Summary
| Fixture | Score | Goal Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa v Red Bull Salzburg | 3-2 |
Red Bull Salzburg: Karim Konaté 33′, Moussa Yeo 49′ Aston Villa: Morgan Rogers 64′, Tyrone Mings 76′, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba 87’ |
Red Bull Salzburg’s Campaign Ends
Red Bull Salzburg’s hopes of progressing were dashed, as this defeat left them in 31st place on just 6 points, leading to their elimination from European competition.
