Aston Villa found an unlikely hero on Thursday night as teenage substitute Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba announced himself on the European stage in dramatic fashion. Described by team-mate Morgan Rogers as “shy and nervous,” the 19-year-old showed remarkable composure to score a late winner and secure a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League.
Jimoh-Aloba’s decisive goal ensured Villa finished second in the Europa League league phase, capping a memorable night at Villa Park and underlining the depth of emerging talent within Unai Emery’s squad.
The scenes at the final whistle captured the emotion of the moment. Midfielder Amadou Onana gently pushed the young forward towards the Holte End, where Jimoh-Aloba was greeted by roaring applause and a line of fist bumps from delighted supporters. For a teenager still finding his feet at senior level, it was a moment to savour — and one that hinted at a bright future.
Villa had needed inspiration. The evening had not started well for the hosts, who found themselves 2-0 down early in the second half after a below-par display. Matters were made worse when Ollie Watkins was forced off in the first half with a hamstring injury, leaving Emery’s side short of attacking options.
With key midfielders Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans already sidelined, Villa were stretched thin. The pressure was mounting, and Salzburg appeared on course for a famous away win.
But Villa responded with resilience and belief. Goals from Morgan Rogers and Tyrone Mings dragged the hosts level, reigniting the atmosphere inside the stadium and setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
That finale belonged to Jimoh-Aloba.
Introduced from the bench in the 66th minute, the teenager showed no sign of nerves as he took his chance with just three minutes remaining. His finish was composed and precise — the kind expected of an experienced professional rather than a player making his European debut.
Speaking after the match, Jimoh-Aloba struggled to hide his emotions.
“It’s a proud moment for me on my European debut,” he told TNT Sports.
“It’s really nice to make my family proud. I’ve had a lot of lows and highs this season, but this is right at the top. My mum is in the stand somewhere.”
For those who know him well, the performance was no surprise. Morgan Rogers, who shared time with Jimoh-Aloba in West Bromwich Albion’s academy, believes the teenager is still growing into himself.
“It’s a really nice moment for him,” Rogers told BBC Sport.
“He works hard in training and gives everything. He’s probably a bit shy and nervous — more than I’d like — but the quality is there.”
Rogers explained that focus and consistency are the final pieces of the puzzle for the young attacker.
“We know he’s got the ability. It’s about applying himself. When he came on, he was locked in and engaged — that’s exactly what we want.
Sometimes as a young player you can switch off, and that’s where things slip. I was exactly the same at that age.”
The England playmaker added that Jimoh-Aloba is highly regarded within the squad.
“I’ve taken a shine to him. He’s a really nice kid, we enjoy training with him and we all want him to do well.”
Unai Emery, meanwhile, used the match to underline his commitment to youth development. With injuries forcing his hand, the Villa boss handed 18-year-old midfielder George Hemmings his full debut, while academy graduate Kadan Young also featured from the bench.
Emery praised the young players for stepping up when needed.
“It’s very important to give young players chances,” Emery said.
“They need opportunities to show their progress, and I think they did a very good job.”
The Spaniard emphasised that careful planning is key to nurturing young talent.
“We have a plan with them. We must protect them when they play, but also help their development — training every day with us and gaining experience in matches like today. Everything worked fantastically.”
Who is Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba?
Jimoh-Aloba joined Aston Villa from West Bromwich Albion in 2023 at just 16 years old, already carrying a strong reputation as one of England’s brightest prospects. He had represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 level, marking him out as a player with significant potential.
His senior journey has been carefully managed. He made his first-team debut as a substitute in a Carabao Cup win at Wycombe in September 2024, and was included in Villa’s Premier League matchday squad against Leicester City a year earlier.
In October 2024, Jimoh-Aloba signed a long-term contract with Villa, a clear sign of the club’s faith in his ability. At youth level, he played a key role in Villa’s FA Youth Cup triumph, scoring in the final against Manchester City.
His Premier League debut arrived last month in a tough 4-1 defeat away at Arsenal, while he has also gained experience in domestic cup competitions, including the Carabao Cup loss to Brentford.
Now, with a match-winning goal on his European debut, Jimoh-Aloba has taken a major step forward. While he remains grounded and learning, Thursday night felt like the beginning of something special — a reminder that even the quietest talents can make the loudest statements when it matters most.
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