Barcelona v Aston Villa
Match Timeline & MomentumMomentumThis graph shows how much pressure a team applied during the match. Taller columns indicate stronger attacking periods, based on things like possession, shots, goals, big chances, and other key stats.
Commentary
Resuming normal service after their defeat against PSG last time out, Barcelona stroll to a 3-0 home win over Aston Villa, whose perfect Champions League record is abruptly ended at Camp Nou. The visitors played a large part in their own downfall, with Suzuki and Joao Gomes combining to present Yamal's opening goal on a plate, but they rallied and caused Barca plenty of problems throughout the rest of an even first half. Both Cash and Joao Gomes saw close-range shots blocked, as Villa sought an equaliser before the break, yet they couldn't match that intensity after half-time. Instead, Barca's brilliant captain struck twice in the space of eight minutes to effectively kill the contest: two clinical finishes from Raphinha took his tally for the season to 19 from 13 games. After that, Goretzka clipped the post with a header late on, while Yamal tried several times to add to a goal that makes him the Champions League's top teenage scorer, ahead of Kylian Mbappe. All of which took Barca's xG up to 1.96 from 16 attempts, compared to Aston Villa's 0.72 overall. Both teams now have nine points from four games, and at the halfway stage of this season's league phase, they are well placed to progress. Barca's next Champions League fixture will take them to Azerbaijan for a meeting with Sabah, while Villa are heading back to Istanbul after the international break, when they'll visit Galatasaray. That's all from Camp Nou, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 3-0 ASTON VILLA
Following a fantastic run inside from the right, which takes him past four defenders, Yamal again tries to beat Suzuki for a second time. However, his curling shot lacks brute power and is easily dealt with by the big goalkeeper.
Despite his superb scoring record in this season's league phase, Barkley spurns a very decent half-chance. Goretzka's perceptive first-time pass sets his fellow sub up for a shot from the edge of the box, but Barkley sends it several yards over the top.
With the result already beyond doubt in the first of three added minutes, Mbaye hammers a shot high over the crossbar.
SUPER STOP! Suzuki denies Yamal! After bursting into Villa's box, Yamal lets fly with a fierce angled drive. Under pressure from the back-tracking Maatsen, his finish is fired towards the bottom-right corner, and Suzuki makes a stunning fingertip save!
Shot Map
Team Stats
1.96
Expected Goals
0.72
65%
Possession
35%
8 (50%)
Shots on Goal
1 (11%)
3
Big Chances Created
1
4
Corners Won
8
552 (92%)
Accurate Passes
258 (80%)
47
Duels Won
48
1
Saves
5
14
Fouls Committed
9





