As returns to the biggest club stage go, Aston Villa’s went rather swimmingly, the substitute Jhon Durán nonchalantly putting Bayern Munich to bed with a stunning, off-the-cuff lob. This was a night that guaranteed a sense of mystique regardless of result and as the Champions League anthem filled the Villa Park air for the first time, the ground fell almost silent, the home supporters opening their ears in unison to drink it all in.
Despite well-documented prices this was the hottest ticket in town and the joyous scenes at the final whistle showed why. Emiliano Martínez, a couple of minutes after preventing Harry Kane from heading in a stoppage-time equaliser, thumped the ground with his gloves and as the first beats of Hi Ho Silver Lining kicked in, a beaming Unai Emery hotfooted it down the touchline applauding the supporters who worship him.
