Villa find a way - but at a price
- Published
Aston Villa, once again, ground it out.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba's late winner capped a comeback which never looked likely after Villa fell 2-0 behind to Red Bull Salzburg early in the first half.
The 19-year-old's first senior goal is a welcome distraction from a performance which lacked drive and intensity and owed much to a collapse from the visitors.
Maybe Villa could have been forgiven, they had already qualified for the Europa League last 16 and, given injuries, Unai Emery handed George Hemmings a full debut and brought on Jimoh-Aloba and Kadan Young.
The Austrians folded after being in charge for an hour but victory came at a price for Villa.
Emery only did what he could realistically do in playing Ollie Watkins - given his lack of striking options - and, such is Villa's luck this month, he came off with a hamstring injury.
The extent is not known but new signing Tammy Abraham - who watched from the stands on Thursday - could be given a start when Brentford visit Villa Park on Sunday.
Victory proved Villa's staying power but also underlined their squad's growing fragility.