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BIRMINGHAM, England: An early goal from John McGinn helped Aston Villa to kick off their Europa League campaign with a gritty 1-0 group-stage win over Bologna on Thursday, while Olivier Giroud came off the bench to nod in a late winner in Lille’s dramatic 2-1 triumph against SK Brann.

Scottish midfielder McGinn’s decisive goal came in the 13th minute, setting Villa off to a positive start in their European campaign at Villa Park.

McGinn broke the deadlock when a cleverly worked short corner found him in space outside the box. With precision, he struck a low shot that nestled into the bottom corner, leaving Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski rooted to the spot.

Ollie Watkins had a golden opportunity to double Villa’s lead in the 68th minute from the penalty spot, after being brought down by Martin Vitik. But his tame effort was easily saved by Skorupski.

Just minutes later, Bologna came agonizingly close to an equalizer when Santiago Castro’s powerful header crashed against the crossbar and bounced out of play.

McGinn admitted the win was vital, with Villa still without a Premier League victory this season.

“It was important to get a win at home. Not our strongest start to the season, especially here,” he told TNT Sports.

“Really difficult to play against (Bologna) but we had chances, missed the penalty which could have made it a more difficult night. At this stage, we’ll take anything that’s coming.”

Giroud flies high for Lille

Substitute Giroud emerged as Lille’s hero earlier on Thursday, rising high to head in a decisive late goal that spoiled Norwegian Brann’s long-awaited return to European competition after 18 years.

The French side secured a 2-1 home victory in a match filled with drama, as both teams were denied multiple times by the woodwork, with four shots striking the post or crossbar throughout the game.

The Frenchman, who turns 39 next week, soared above the defense to meet a cross in the 80th minute, powering a point-blank header past the keeper and leaving Brann’s back line helpless.

In Glasgow, 10-man Rangers fell 1-0 to Genk after Mohamed Diomande was sent off just before halftime.

Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner in the 55th minute for the Belgian side, redeeming himself after missing a penalty earlier in the match.

VfB Stuttgart began their Europa League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Celta Vigo, courtesy of second-half goals from Badredine Bouanani and Bilal El Khannouss.

Tanner Tessmann blasted in a stunning first-time strike from distance into the top corner just 15 minutes from time to earn Olympique Lyonnais a hard-fought 1-0 win at Utrecht.

Two-time Europa League champions FC Porto escaped with a dramatic victory, as William Gomes struck deep into stoppage time to silence Salzburg and secure a precious 1-0 win.

OVIEDO, Spain: Barcelona fought back from a goal down to beat Real Oviedo 3-1 on Thursday, with second-half goals from Eric Garcia, Robert Lewandowski and Ronald Araujo overturning Alberto Reina’s first-half opener.

The win keeps Barcelona unbeaten in the league, sitting second in the standings with 16 points from six matches, two behind leaders Real Madrid. Oviedo remain mired in the relegation zone in 18th with just three points.

A costly error from Barcelona keeper Joan Garcia gifted Oviedo the lead. In an attempt to clear the ball outside his area, he misplaced his pass, allowing Reina to easily lob him from distance in the 33rd minute.

Barcelona equalized in the 56th minute when Eric Garcia tapped in a rebound from close range and substitute Lewandowski put Barcelona ahead in the 70th minute with a towering header.

Oviedo pushed forward in search of an equalizer but were undone in the 88th minute when Araujo headed home from a corner, sealing the points for the Catalans.

“It was a tough match, Oviedo play good football and in the first half we had problems finishing, but in the second half we played faster and that led to three goals,” Lewandowski told DAZN.

“I have to do my job starting or not, the reality is that there’s a match every three days. We need to be responsible and vigilant.

“I was hurt at the end of the pre-season, so I needed a little more time to get up to speed. I’m patient. The most important thing is that when I play, I want to score goals to help the team. Physically, I feel very good.”

Hansi Flick’s side, still missing injured teenager Lamine Yamal for the fourth consecutive match and again starting Ferran Torres ahead of veteran Lewandowski, dominated early proceedings mainly through Marcus Rashford.

The English forward forced Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell into a fabulous reflex save with a bullet strike in the 10th minute before testing him again with a curling effort from the edge of the box a few minutes later, with Raphinha also hitting the post from distance.

The match took a turn in the 33rd minute when the home side capitalized on a mistake by Barcelona keeper Garcia.

However, Barca came back livelier after the break and Eric Garcia pounced on a rebound after Escandell had denied Ferran Torres with a stunning reflex save and Lewandowski’s introduction proved inspired.

The Polish striker’s brilliant towering header from a Frenkie de Jong cross into the top left corner in the 70th minute silenced a raucous Carlos Tartiere crowd, capping a remarkable turnaround for last year’s champions, before Araujo wrapped the hard-fought win.

Barcelona next host Real Sociedad on Sunday, while Oviedo travel to Valencia on Monday.