Unai Emery hints at big plan after Nigerian-descent teen fires Aston Villa to dramatic Europa win

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has praised Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba after scoring a dramatic late winner in a 3–2 comeback victory over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Europa League, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 19-year-old, who is of Nigerian descent, came off the bench to net the decisive goal on his European debut, helping Villa secure second place in the league phase and book a favourable route into the knockout rounds.

His strike capped a remarkable turnaround after Villa had trailed by two goals earlier in the match.

What a turnaround for @AVFCOfficial 🙌

19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba scores the winner in a 3-2 victory over RB Salzburg but have to settle for second in the Europa League league phase pic.twitter.com/1dTaLgadUx

— Premier League (@premierleague) January 29, 2026

Unai Emery’s comments on Jimoh-Aloba

Speaking to VillaTV after the game, Emery revealed that the club is now carefully planning the development of Jimoh-Aloba and fellow academy players who featured in the match.

“George, 45 minutes, Jamal and Kadan as well, 30 or 20 minutes,” Emery said via the club website. “I think we need to get a plan with them, and their development needs as well, sometimes, try to give them chances to play like today.

“It was a very good day to do it and of course when we were losing, we gave them chances to play, and they did the assist and goal, Kadan and Jamal.”

The Villa boss stressed that the moment was not only important for the players but also for the identity of the club.

“I think it’s something really fantastic for, as well, the club, for the young players, how far or short is the way for them to be with us,” he added.

“I think it’s something today, we shared with our supporters as well, how important is the academy and how important the young players are for us.”

Jimoh-Aloba’s performance for Aston Villa vs Salzburg

Jimoh-Aloba was introduced late in the contest with Villa chasing a winner after Morgan Rogers and Tyrone Mings had erased Salzburg’s two-goal advantage.

In the 87th minute, fellow academy graduate Kadan Young delivered a low cross into the box, which the teenager finished calmly to spark wild celebrations inside Villa Park.

It was Jimoh-Aloba’s first senior goal for Aston Villa and his first appearance in European competition, making the occasion even more significant.