Aston Villa host Juventus on Wednesday night in a blockbuster Champions League showdown.
Unai Emery’s side are winless in six games, but this match provides them with a huge opportunity to increase their chances of a top-eight Champions League finish.
Aston Villa have won three out of their four games and now they face an injury-hit Juventus side on home soil, but a Thiago Motta team that is defensively very strong.
In the summer, Douglas Luiz left Villa for Juventus after five years of service to the Midlands giants, including guiding them to the Champions League in his final campaign.
When the revamped Champions League draw was made in August, many were excited by the fact that Juve were drawn at home because it offered Luiz the chance to return.
But where is your luck? During his days in B6, the 26-year-old didn’t have many injury issues and constantly played week in and week out.
That’s why it’s frustrating for the player and even probably Villa fans that Luiz will now miss the match through injury.
But that hasn’t stopped the player from making a return to his old stomping ground…
Will Douglas Luiz be at the Aston Villa v Juventus Champions League tie?
Injury isn’t going to stop the midfield technician because, despite being on the sidelines, it now looks like he will be present for the match.
Ahead of the game, Luiz posted on his Instagram story an image of him inside what looks like a private jet, with his dad, all smiles, thumbs up and three emojis. The love heart emoji, the praying hands emoji and the England flag.
Perhaps Luiz will use his old box at Villa Park, if he still has it, to watch the game, but fans will be able to see a glimpse of him tonight.
Why did Luiz leave Villa for Juventus?
When Luiz first joined Villa from Manchester City in 2019, they had just earned promotion to the Premier League and spent over £100 million on talent.
At the time, he was just 21 and the hope was that he would help progress the club, at least, towards Europe and maybe beyond.
Luiz did his job by helping the Midlands side to Europe last season and then Champions League football for this campaign.
But then he had to leave this summer because Villa had to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), as well as Financial Fair Play (FFP) before July, as reported by BBC Sport.
