Jimoh Completes Stunning Comeback as Aston Villa Beat Salzburg
Teenager’s late winner seals top-two Europa League finish despite injury woes
Nineteen-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh scored a dramatic late winner as Aston Villa came from two goals down to beat FC Salzburg 3-2, securing a top-two finish in the Europa League group phase on a chaotic night at Villa Park.
Villa, already guaranteed a place in the round of 16, were forced to dig deep for their seventh win in eight matches, but the victory was overshadowed by further injury problems for Unai Emery, including a first-half withdrawal for Ollie Watkins.
Salzburg strike first as Villa struggle
Salzburg arrived knowing only a win would keep their European hopes alive and played with urgency from the outset. Villa had an early warning when Emiliano Martínez produced a superb double save to deny Karim Konaté and Soumaila Diabaté.
The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute. Tyrone Mings hesitated on the ball and was dispossessed by Edmund Baidoo, who squared for Konaté to bundle the ball home despite the efforts of Victor Lindelöf.
Things worsened for Villa shortly after as Watkins was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, adding to Emery’s growing list of absentees.
Salzburg double their lead
The Austrian champions carried their momentum into the second half and struck again just four minutes after the restart. Kerim Alajbegovic danced into the box and cut the ball back for Moussa Yeo, who finished cleverly from close range to make it 2-0.
Villa Park was stunned, and Salzburg briefly looked in control of the contest.
Villa roar back
The comeback began midway through the half. Substitute Morgan Rogers combined neatly with Emi Buendía on the counter before drilling a composed finish into the near post to halve the deficit.
Belief surged through the stadium, and Villa were level in the 76th minute. Matty Cash delivered a dangerous cross and Mings rose highest, getting his head to the ball before goalkeeper Alexander Schlager and nodding into an empty net to atone for his earlier mistake.
Jimoh seals the night
The turnaround was complete three minutes from time. Kadan Young burst down the flank and delivered a low cross, where Jamaldeen Jimoh arrived to calmly finish and score his first senior goal, sending Villa Park into raptures.
Despite the injury concerns, Villa held on to secure a memorable victory and confirm their place among the top two teams in the group.
