Bayern Displayed ‘Arrogance’ By Not Starting Jamal Musiala Against Aston Villa Claims Chris Sutton

Former England striker Chris Sutton has claimed that Bayern Munich showed ‘arrogance’ by not starting talented youngster Jamal Musiala in their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

It was another night to remember for Aston Villa at the fortress that is Villa Park on Wednesday evening, as they defied the odds to topple six-time European champions Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League league phase.

The Villans initially took the lead after just 24 minutes through Pau Torres, however his goal was ruled out after Jacob Ramsey veered offside in the build-up.

Despite the visitors having the better chances, Unai Emery‘s side stood strong, with Emiliano Martinez making several world-class stops to deny the Bundesliga leaders from getting on the scoresheet.

It would be Jhon Duran, who has often been the hero as of late, that made the difference for Villa in the end. The Colombian delivered a sublime first-time effort over the head of a backpedalling Manuel Neuer into the back of the net, sending the Holte End faithful into a frenzy.

Martinez made another couple of crucial stops in injury time, denying Serge Gnabry and England captain Harry Kane, as the Villans secured a second successive victory in Europe’s premier football competition.

Another look back at the incredible moment when Jhon Duran gave Aston Villa the lead over Bayern Munich 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Jek1Gl3VnA

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 3, 2024

Chris Sutton: Bayern Showed ‘Arrogance’ By Not Starting Musiala vs Aston Villa

The likes of Kane, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies were all included in Vincent Kompany’s lineup, but one notable omission was talented youngster Jamal Musiala.

Musiala, formerly of Chelsea‘s youth system, has arguably been Bayern’s best player in recent seasons and already has four goals and five assists for club and country this season, so his exclusion raised some eyebrows ahead of kick off.

Reports prior to the game suggested that the 21-year-old was being rested after starting nine games in succession, however former England international Chris Sutton claims that by doing so, it showed ‘arrogance’ on Bayern’s part.

“I said it before the game, was it a bit of arrogance taking Aston Villa too lightly? It seemed that way, and it was an admission that he got it wrong by bringing [Musiala] on at half-time wasn’t it?” Sutton said on the Football Daily podcast.

“It does seem strange to think that you leave a key player out in a game of this magnitude, but maybe that was Bayern Munich’s arrogance to think they could do it.”

Victory for Villa sees them finish Matchday 2 of the Champions League in sixth place, and the UK’s best football betting sites now have them at 4/5 to finish the league phase in the top eight.