Things went rather smoothly for Aston Villa on their return to the club’s biggest stage, with 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 whatever the outcome – despite well-documented trophies it was the hottest ticket in town and when the Champions League anthem first filled the air at Villa Park, the home support seemed to turn their ears up. open to drink it all in – but few expected Unai Emery’s side to beat the Bundesliga giants in such style.

Durán builds up quite a showreel. Pau Torres had a first-half goal disallowed for offside, but Durán came off the bench to seal Villa’s victory, prompting Prince William to cheer from the stands and maintain their 100% start to this competition. After a 41-year absence, they seem determined to make up for lost time.

This was the second meeting between these sides, the first a notable one – with the same score – in the 1982 European Cup final. Fittingly, before the match, the stadium speakers blared Rotterdam from Mooi Zuid, a not-so-subtle nod to Villa’s triumph, which is highly anticipated in these parts is remembered so fondly. Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, and Damian Vidagany, director of football, spent the years with many of the ’82 squad, including captain Dennis Mortimer, on Tuesday evening. To celebrate Villa’s return to the European top flight, a new mural featuring Peter Withe, the late Gary Shaw and Emery was painted on an end-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. Withe’s winner’s commentary was immortalized on a banner which, until moved directly opposite the dugouts this season as part of the Villa Park upgrade, formed part of the furniture at Holte End. The locals gave a warm welcome to those who had traveled from Bavaria before Michael Olise kicked off. “Who the fuck are you?” they sang in greeting.

Bayern is of course a six-time winner, an imperious opposition and a European superpower. Harry Kane was deemed fit enough to lead the line for Bayern after shaking off an ankle problem against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend, but after 22 minutes of play the England captain was among the surly visiting players who marched back at half-time.

Villa supporters went berserk as Torres edged past Manuel Neuer after picking up Jaden Philogene’s majestic killer goal from a recycled free-kick, only for Jacob Ramsey to be forced off through injury a few minutes later but ruled out by VAR was declared offside. The free-kick itself, awarded after Dayot Upamecano had upended Ollie Watkins, was emblematic of one of the themes of a lively first half. Upamecano looked uncomfortable against Watkins and previously got away clear after being the last defender to tangle with the striker.

Kane cut a frustrated figure on the break and was fortunate to escape a booking for an awkward bump on Morgan Rogers nearing half-time. Kane was particularly miffed approaching the half-hour mark when Serge Gnabry selfishly opted to fire 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 came on at half-time.

It was Kimmich who provided Bayern’s first opening, driving a wonderful cross towards the back post for Gnabry, who tried and failed to play in Kane on that occasion. Olise pulled off a fine save from Emiliano Martínez after curling a shot on target from 20 yards and for Villa, Rogers and Watkins had their moments. At one point Rogers collected the ball on the half turn and rolled away from three black Bayern shirts, before freeing Watkins on his left. Watkins squared the ball but Alphonso Davies intervened and passed Amadou Onana, whose shot bounced towards Neuer.

The half-time introduction of Musiala in place of Kingsley Coman gave Bayern more control. More ball contacts, more penetration and Bayern’s first tangible opening of the second half after 65 minutes. Musiala managed to avoid 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 few minutes later. At the other end, Philogene’s direct move caused Konrad Laimer problems and Rogers continued to take up space behind Aleksandar Pavlovic at the base of the Bayern midfield.

Emery, meanwhile, took the unusual step of replacing the substitute, with Ian Maatsen replacing Leon Bailey, who was struggling to find his rhythm. A more typical Villa substitution followed on 70 minutes, with Durán replacing Watkins as Villa again sought a timely intervention from his super sub. Of course it came, and so casually too. Torres beamed a pass to the 20-year-old, who got close enough to Upamecano to get his bearings before hitting a bouncing ball over an exposed Neuer. Durán’s record now stands at six goals from nine games this season. Just like Withe’s in ’82, the Villa supporters will not soon forget this flawless strike.