Aston Villa kick off their Champions League campaign with a trip to Young Boys this evening, and excitement is building for the fans.
It’s been over 40 years since Aston Villa qualified for Europe’s elite competition but in a matter of hours, they will take to the field in Switzerland to mark the beginning of their Champions League campaign.
Unai Emery’s men have had the ideal preparation for their game with Young Boys following a dramatic comeback win against Everton, as Jhon Duran’s stunning winner sent Villa Park into pandemonium.
Villa fans will know that with fixtures against Bayern Munich and Juventus in the league phase, securing all three points over the Swiss giants is crucial, especially since they’re winless in their opening six league matches.
- READ MORE: Major change to Aston Villa training ahead of opening Champions League fixture v Young Boys
Aston Villa team news vs Young Boys
Luckily, Emery didn’t pick up any further injury concerns from their most recent win over Everton.
Matty Cash is still sidelined with a hamstring injury but could return for the trip to Ipswich Town in four matches.
The Poland international sustained the setback in the first half as Villa were beaten by Arsenal but fortunately, he’s closing in on a return.
Long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings both recently returned to Aston Villa training and the duo could be named in the matchday squad too soon, although this evening’s match could prove too soon.
In other news, fleet-footed winger Leon Bailey missed the win over Everton after picking up an injury but Emery confirmed that he’ll be in the squad to face Young Boys and will make a late decision on whether to include him in the starting XI.
Aston Villa predicted line-up for Champions League clash vs Young Boys
When Emery arrived at the club in 2022, Emi Martinez instantly saw visions of Aston Villa getting into the Champions League and now his dreams have been fulfilled.
The World Cup-winning shot-stopper will be joined by a defence consisting of the same back four that beat Everton, including Lamare Bogarde, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos and Lucas Digne.
As for the midfield, Emery could rest Amadou Onana – who was taken off at half-time against the Toffees – and instead start Ross Barkley alongside Youri Tielemans.
Captain John McGinn will then line up on the left side of midfield with Morgan Rogers as a number 10 and the speed and trickery of Jaden Philogene coming into the side on the right.
That leaves a key decision to make at striker. Watkins scored a brace against Everton while Duran came off the bench to score an unbelievable winning goal.
Emery could choose to rest Watkins for this match, perhaps bringing him off the bench, with Duran leading the line in the Champions League.
