Aston Villa 2-1 Legia Warszawa

Álex Moreno marked his Aston Villa return with his first goal for the club to clinch a crucial 2-1 victory over Legia Warszawa and take control of UEFA Europa Conference League Group E with progress to the knockout stages secured.

Moreno, making his maiden appearance of the season after injury, picked the perfect moment to net his first goal in claret and blue as he arrived at the far post to meet Douglas Luiz’s deep free-kick and convert a right-footed volley.

Moussa Diaby had earlier curled Villa into an early lead with his fourth goal of the season, only for Ernest Muci, who bagged a brace when Legia triumphed 3-2 on matchday one, to level matters midway through the first half.

Victory means Unai Emery’s side, who are already assured of their place in the knockout stages of the competition, now top the standings by three points to second-placed Legia, knowing a point at HŠK Zrinjski on matchday six will be enough to seal top spot.

Leon Bailey came close late on to securing the two-goal margin of victory required to do just that, as he saw his effort hit the underside of the crossbar, bounce down on the goal-line and away.

The triumph continues Villa’s impressive form, with nine wins in 11 matches in all competitions heading into Sunday’s Premier League trip to AFC Bournemouth.

Moreno was named in Villa’s starting line-up as the fit-again left-back made his first appearance since May’s draw at Liverpool towards the end of last season.

There was a place between the sticks for Robin Olsen, while Clément Lenglet, Youri Tielemans and Jhon Durán also returned to Villa’s XI as head coach Emery made five changes from Sunday’s 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

And it was the hosts who got off to a dream start after just four minutes as Diaby raced on to Tielemans’ ball down the right, cut inside and curled an effort beyond Legia skipper Kacper Tobiasz.

Durán forced a one-hand save from Tobiasz shortly afterwards, but the visitors were level in the 20^th minute as Muci capitalised on a defensive error at the back to curl into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

And in a first half of few clear-cut openings, that was the way it remained until the break as both sides went into the interval on level terms.

The second period started with chances at either end as Gil Dias sent a stooping header against the crossbar, while Diaby was denied by a super save from Tobiasz.

And it was the hosts who retook the lead just before the hour as Moreno arrived at the back post to convert Luiz’s free-kick with a well-taken right-footed volley.

Bailey and Jacob Ramsey were introduced just after 70 minutes and the latter went close to a third as he curled narrowly wide of the far post.

Bailey then went even closer in the closing stages as he saw his lofted attempt rebound off the underside of the crossbar, nevertheless, the Villans claimed an important victory and all three points.