LONDON: Both Arsenal and Aston Villa scored home successes as the Champions League group stage resumed after the international break.

The Gunners needed an own goal to seal a scrappy 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk as they made it two wins out of three in the Champions League to soften the blow of their first domestic league defeat of the season at the weekend.

The hosts missed a penalty in the second half and squandered a number of decent chances but had to withstand some late pressure from their Ukrainian opponents.

Arsenal, who were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, made a fast start with Brazilians Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both having good opportunities before a fortunate opener in the 29th minute.

A low shot from Martinelli rebounded off the post and off the back of Shakhtar keeper Dmytro Riznyk for what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Arsenal would have doubled their advantage before halftime were it not for Shakhtar captain Mykola Matviyenko who hooked the ball off the line to prevent a diving Kai Havertz nodding in.

Leandro Trossard also missed a second-half penalty awarded by VAR following a handball in the box.

Shakhtar, who are yet to win in the Champions League this season, put more pressure on Arsenal after that and went close to equalising when substitute Pedrinho had a long-range effort superbly saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya in stoppage time.

Villa patience pays

Aston Villa overcame Bologna 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran to extend a perfect start to their first Champions League campaign in 41 years to three victories.

Villa’s win put them provisionally top of the table in Europe’s elite club competition with nine points and are yet to concede. Bologna have one point after a draw and two losses.

Unai Emery’s side had a flurry of chances before McGinn scored in the 55th minute, sending a free kick sailing over a sea of heads into the far corner. After a VAR check for a possible handball, the goal from Villa’s captain stood.

Duran, whose late-game heroics led them past Bayern Munich three weeks ago, doubled the lead in the 64th when Morgan Rogers lifted a cross towards the box and the lunging striker held off defender Jhon Lucumi to flick the ball into the bottom corner.

Bologna, with one win so far this season in all competitions – a Serie A victory at Monza last month – threatened only for brief moments in the first half.

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