Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Back
Rodri injury mars easy win for Barcelona over Emery's Villa in front of Prince William

Barcelona's joy at an impressive win in the Champions League was tempered by an injury to star midfielder Rodri.

Spain's World Cup-winning captain was forced off with a suspected calf injury at halftime of Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, which was earned by an early goal from Lamine Yamal and Raphinha's second-half double.

The injury to Rodri will be a concern for his team, which visits Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a top-of-the-table match in La Liga. Barcelona leads by two points from Atleti.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Rodri "felt some muscular pain."

"It´ll need to wait until Wednesday before we examine that and find out more," Flick added.

It was otherwise a positive night for Barcelona at Camp Nou in front of Prince William, the heir to the British throne and Villa's most famous fan.

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Yamal got his 14th Champions League goal - more than anyone else under the age of 20 - when he intercepted a stray pass from Joao Gomes following a goal kick, cut inside and bent a finish into the bottom corner in the seventh minute.

Rodri coming off, to be replaced by Marc Bernal, didn't hold back Barca, with Raphinha scuffing a shot into the corner in the 52nd and then meeting an impudent, outside-of-the-foot cross by Joao Cancelo with a first-time finish in the 64th.

It marked a miserable return to the Camp Nou for Villa coach Unai Emery, who was last at the stadium when in charge of a Paris Saint-Germain team that arrived with a 4-0 lead from the first leg in the round of 16 in 2017. Barcelona won the second leg 6-1 in a recovery now widely known as "La Remontada" (The Comeback).

Villa dropped points for the first time this campaign, after opening with three straight wins.

"We need to learn, draw conclusions, and figure out how to compete better," Emery said. "We have to be capable of staying competitive against the favorites, like Barca."

___

See AP´s full soccer coverage here

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Britain's Prince William and his son, Prince George watch the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Britain's Prince William and his son, Prince George watch the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha scores his side's second goal past Aston Villa's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Barcelona's Raphinha scores his side's second goal past Aston Villa's goalkeeper Zion Suzuki during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery gestures during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Barcelona and Aston Villa in Barcelona, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

You may like

Argentina’s New Captain Names His Choice to Take Lionel Messi’s No. 10 Jersey

si.com 1 day ago

Lionel Messi farewell: Argentina superstar still one of the best as he preps for final national t...

cbssports.com 4 weeks ago

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior Problem Leaves Jose Mourinho in Impossible Position

si.com 8 hours ago

Transfer Rumors: Fernandes Wants Man Utd Exit; Martinez Agrees La Liga Switch

si.com 1 day ago

Jose Mourinho Delivers Another Blow to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Future at Real Madrid

si.com 6 hours ago

Is PSG's Hakimi really a defender these days? Not according to his stats...

newslocker.com 1 day ago

Transfer Rumors: PSG Want Mainoo; Arsenal, Man City Join Estevao Race

si.com 3 hours ago