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Aston Villa secured their first win of the season at the seventh attempt as Unai Emery’s side began their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 victory over Bologna at Villa Park.

John McGinn opened the scoring in the 13th minute, lashing the ball past Łukasz Skorupski after a set-piece routine in which Morgan Rogers stumbled over Emi Buendia’s pass in the box.

Ollie Watkins, who started on the bench, had a chance to double Villa’s lead soon after coming on. He won a penalty just after the hour mark but saw his spot kick saved by Skorupski at the Holte End.

Villa had Bologna on the ropes for 10 minutes after going ahead, with Donyell Malen coming closest to doubling the advantage in that time. Rogers knocked the ball to Boubacar Kamara on the edge of the box, who shift

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