The two teams appeared to be heading for a goalless draw on Villa’s return to the big time, 42 years on from their European Cup final win over Bayern, but second-half substitute Jhon Duran had other ideas.
Nine minutes after replacing Ollie Watkins, the 20-year-old striker received a pinpoint pass from Pau Torres and fired the ball over Manuel Neuer with an astonishing 40-yard strike to break the deadlock, taking the roof off Villa Park.
Emiliano Martinez preserved Villa’s narrow lead with a stunning injury-time save to deny England captain Harry Kane, securing the hosts a famous win, their second of the competition after a 3-0 defeat of Young Boys last time out.
Prince William, a lifelong Villa supporter, was seen punching the air as he celebrated Duran’s incredible winner and the heir to the throne managed to catch up with Emery in the aftermath of the drama.
Asked if he had spoken with Prince William, Emery told TNT Sports: ‘I told him the best moments we can have is days like today and try to enjoy the way.
‘Because when you are getting at the end, I don’t know where, but everything we are doing on the way, every day, every match, try to enjoy it, enjoy the way.
‘And today, winning, of course, how we played, the team we played and being in the Champions League 42 years after the final, of course, it was a special day.
‘But like I said before the match, we want to keep it for a long time, being in Europe consistently and hopefully more days like today.’
Emery had nothing but praise for Villa’s match-winner Duran, who has had to be patient for opportunities over the last 12 months.
‘We are working with him but the most important thing is his attitude and his commitment now with us,’ the Villa head coach added.
‘Really he changed a lot his mind and he’s available to play 90 minutes, play 60 minutes, play 30 minutes and he’s been focussing each minute he is playing.
‘Of course we have two very good strikers and the work they did today, Watkins before against the centre-backs, especially with [Dayot] Upamecano, was really a tough, tough match, a lot of duels he had.
‘The last 20 minutes was a very good moment, we tried to do something more, adding this work with Jhon Duran and, of course, for him to score the goal he scored was really fantastic for him, for the team, for everybody.’
Emery was especially pleased with Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa’s performances after Villa put in a monstrous defensive display to keep the likes of Kane and Michael Olise at bay.
‘Against teams like that and with the players they have, it’s very important defensively to be strong, try to fix to their attacking players very well and we did,’ the Spaniard continued.
‘Today, of course, Emiliano Martinez did an amazing job, amazing saves he did.
‘Of course, today, the match Diego Carlos and Ezri Konsa because they needed to improve playing on the right side, especially today Konsa did well individually with very good wingers like they had.
‘Their performance for the team and for themselves was fantastic.’
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