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 left-foot lob. This was a night that guaranteed a sense of mystique regardless of result – despite well-documented prices it was the hottest ticket in town and as the Champions League anthem filled the Villa Park air for the first time, the home support seemed to open their ears to drink it all in – but few anticipated Unai Emery’s side dispatching the Bundesliga giants in such style. Durán is building quite the show reel. Pau Torres had a first-half goal disallowed for offside but Durán stepped off the bench to earn Villa victory, prompting Prince William off his feet to cheer from the stands, and maintain their 100% start to this competition. After 41 years away, they seem intent on making up for lost time. This was the second meeting between these sides, the first a notable one – of the same scoreline – in the 1982 European Cup final. Fittingly, pre-match the stadium speakers blared the Beautiful South’s Rotterdam, a not-so-subtle nod to Villa’s triumph, remembered so fondly in these parts. Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, and Damian Vidagany, the director of football, spent Tuesday evening rolling back the years with many of the squad from ’82, including the captain Dennis Mortimer. To christen Villa’s return to the European top table a new mural featuring Peter Withe, the late Gary Shaw and Emery was painted on an end-of-terrace house at St Peters Court, off Holte Road, which flanks the Trinity Road Stand. This always promised to be an occasion that would evoke emotions and memories. Commentary of Withe’s winner was immortalised on a banner that until being moved directly opposite the dugouts this season as part of the Villa Park close-season upgrade had been part of the furniture in the Holte End. The locals gave those who travelled from Bavaria a warm Brummie welcome before Michael Olise took kick-off. “Who the fucking ‘ell are you?” they sang by way of a greeting. Bayern, of course, are six-time winners, imperious opposition and a European superpower. Harry Kane was deemed fit enough to lead the line for Bayern after shaking off an ankle problem sustained against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend but with 22 minutes played the England captain was among the sullen visiting players marching back towards halfway. Villa’s supporters had gone berserk at Torres prodding in past Manuel Neuer after picking up Jaden Philogene’s majestic killer touch from a recycled free-kick, only for Jacob Ramsey, forced off through injury a few minutes later, to be ruled offside by VAR. The free-kick itself, awarded after Dayot Upamecano upended Ollie Watkins, was emblematic of one of the themes of a lively first half. Upamecano looked uncomfortable against Watkins and earlier got off scot-free after tangling with the striker as the last defender. Kane cut a frustrated figure at the interval and was fortunate to escape a booking for a clumsy bump on Morgan Rogers approaching half-time. Kane was particularly miffed approaching the half-hour mark when Serge Gnabry selfishly elected to blast a wayward shot over from a tight angle rather than attempt to square the ball when Kane had made ground at the back post. Bayern’s best player was Joshua Kimmich, a peerless operator, but Jamal Musiala entered at the break. It was Kimmich who fashioned Bayern’s first opening, floating a wonderful cross towards the back post for Gnabry, who on that occasion tried and failed to play in Kane. Olise triggered a fine save from Emiliano Martínez after curling a shot at goal from 20 yards and for Villa, Rogers and Watkins had their moments. At one point Rogers collected the ball on the half-turn and steamrolled clear of three black Bayern shirts, before freeing Watkins to his left. Watkins squared the ball but Alphonso Davies intervened, clearing as far Amadou Onana, whose shot bobbled towards Neuer. The half-time introduction of Musiala in place of Kingsley Coman earned Bayern more control. More touches, more probing and Bayern’s first tangible opening of the second half on 65 minutes. Musiala powered clear of three claret and blue shirts and played a one-two with Kane before his snatched shot was blocked by Torres. Leroy Sané replaced Olise a couple of minutes later. At the other end Philogene’s direct running gave Konrad Laimer problems and Rogers continued to occupy space behind Aleksandar Pavlovic at the base of the Bayern midfield. Emery, meanwhile, took the unusual step of substituting the substitute, Ian Maatsen replacing Leon Bailey, who struggled to find his rhythm. A more typical Villa change followed on 70 minutes, Durán replacing Watkins as Villa sought another timely intervention from his super sub. Of course, it arrived, and so nonchalantly, too. Torres beamed a pass towards the 20-year-old, who got close enough to Upamecano just to get his bearings before thumping a bouncing ball over an exposed Neuer. Durán’s record now reads six goals from nine matches this season. Just like Withe’s in ‘82, Villa supporters will not forget this unerring strike in a hurry.