- Lebanon's Hezbollah in disarray after second wave of deadly blasts
- Equity markets, yen rally after jumbo US rate cut
- Meta and Spotify blast EU decisions on AI
- Hasan takes three as Bangladesh rattle India in first Test
- Two killed during police operation in New Caledonia
- Flood-hit region leaders to meet in Poland to discuss EU aid
- Sri Lanka to vote in first poll since economic collapse
- Hong Kong probe finds Cathay Airbus defect could cause 'extensive' damage
- AI development cannot be left to market whim, UN experts warn
- All Blacks primed for 'hell' of a Wallabies clash
- Japan firm says no longer makes radio reportedly used in Lebanon blasts
- Zoom fatigue? Try some nature in your background: study
- Boeing to start large-scale furloughs with Seattle strike talks stalled
- Japan walkie-talkie maker says investigating after Lebanon blasts
- Slipper to become most-capped Wallaby in All Blacks clash
- Tokyo surges on weak yen as Asian traders cheer big US rate cut
- Vast France building project sunk by sea level rise fears
- UK campaigners in green energy standoff reject 'nimby' label
- Rainbow warriors: Three things to watch at cycling world championships
- Lebanon's Hezbollah in disarray after second wave of device blasts
- China's 'full-time dads' challenge patriarchal norms
- What we know about the fire 'pandemic' plaguing Brazil
- X says Brazil service restoration 'inadvertent' and 'temporary'
- Amazon drought leaves Colombian border town high and dry
- Some Cubans depend on sugar water as food shortages bite
- Saudi crown prince says no Israel ties without Palestinian state
- Canada to further cut international student, foreign worker permits
- YouTube launches new TV-focused tools for creators
- White Sox heading for worst season in MLB history
- China the top challenge in US history: senior diplomat
- Hong Kong democracy tycoon's son warns time running out
- New migraine drugs no better than cheap painkillers: big study
- Sean 'Diddy' Combs again denied bail in sex trafficking case
- Brewers clinch division title as MLB playoff race heats up
- Man City blunted by 'giant' Inter in Champions League stalemate
- US stocks dip despite larger Fed interest rate cut
- Man City held by Inter as PSG pinch win in Champions League
- All Blacks recall Beauden Barrett for Australia Test
- Fears of all-out war as new Lebanon device blasts kill 20, wound 450
- Spurs late show saves Postecoglou blushes at Coventry
- PSG snatch late goal to beat Champions League debutants Girona
- Gittens' late double gives Dortmund Champions League win at Brugge
- Man City blunted by Inter in Champions League stalemate
- Hidden talent: French Olympic star Marchand opts for disguise
- MrBeast named in California lawsuit over 'Beast Games' show
- Gauff splits with Gilbert as coach after 14-month run
- Hundreds of thousands at risk in Sudan's El-Fasher: UN
- Harvey Weinstein pleads not guilty to new sex crime charge
- Venezuelan opposition candidate says letter conceding election was coerced
- Ukraine official claims Russian advance in Kursk has been 'stopped'
Villa make perfect start on Champions League return after 41-year absence
Aston Villa made a stylish return to the Champions League with a 3-0 win at Swiss side Young Boys on Tuesday in their first game in the tournament for 41 years.
Villa boss Unai Emery had urged his team to take three points in Bern as a tribute to the club's former striker Gary Shaw, who died on Monday aged 63 after being injured in a fall.
Shaw's tragic death carried extra poignancy as he was a key member of the Villa side that shocked Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final.
A picture of Shaw celebrating Peter Withe's winner against Bayern adorns Villa's training ground and the players wore black armbands during their Champions League opener in memory of the local hero.
Clad in the number eight shirt that Shaw made his own at Villa, it was fitting that Youri Tielemans opened the scoring against Young Boys and celebrated by pointing to his jersey.
Jacob Ramsey bagged Villa's second goal before the interval and Amadou Onana added the third in the closing stages as Emery's men eased to a victory four decades in the making.
Villa are back in the Champions League after surprisingly finishing fourth in the Premier League last term.
Clashes with Bayern Munich and Juventus await among their remaining seven fixtures in the revamped league stage of the competition.
But this cathartic victory will forever hold a special place for Villa fans given their remarkable return to relevance since Emery was hired to replace the sacked Steven Gerrard in 2022.
Just five years ago, Villa were stuck in English football's second tier, with dreams of facing Europe's elite reserved for only the most optimistic supporters.
Anticipation over their first Champions League tie since 1983 had been building for months and the Villa fans crammed into a corner of the Wankdorf Stadium let out a jubilant roar when the tournament anthem was played before kick-off.
- A night to remember -
Prince William, a noted Villa fan, sent Emery's team a good luck message ahead of their "European adventure" and his team responded with a well-drilled display on the Wankdorf's treacherous artificial pitch.
The meticulous Emery changed Villa's preparations by flying to Bern early to train at the stadium on Monday, a move that paid dividends once they survived an early Young Boys raid.
Ebrima Colley's stinging strike forced a fine save from Emiliano Martinez, who breathed a sigh of relief when Filip Ugrinic dragged the rebound narrowly wide.
Villa took the lead in the 27th minute with a clever short corner routine.
Lucas Digne passed to John McGinn who lofted his cross towards the unmarked Tielemans on the far side of the area.
The Belgian midfielder took a composed touch and drilled a low shot through a crowd of players into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
Austin MacPhee, Villa's set-piece coach, punched the air in delight at his successful scheme, while Tielemans celebrated the club's first Champions League goal since their 1983 quarter-final exit against Juventus.
Villa doubled their advantage in the 38th minute thanks to an unexpected gift from the hosts.
Deep inside his own area, Mohamed Ali Camara bizarrely passed back to David von Ballmoos even though the Young Boys keeper was instantly under pressure from Watkins.
Von Ballmoos' panicked challenge up-ended Watkins, who lay prone on the turf as Ramsey pounced on the loose ball and slotted home from close-range.
Villa were largely able to cruise through the second half, with Onana capping a night to remember when the Belgian midfielder smashed a 20-yard drive past Von Ballmoos in the 86th minute.
A.Mahlangu--AMWN