Aston Villa are back in Champions League action on Wednesday night as they host Juventus in a mouth-watering showdown at Villa Park.
Unai Emery will be hoping that this game kickstarts their campaign back into life after failing to win their previous six matches in all competitions.
Aston Villa tasted their first defeat of the Champions League campaign last time out, as Club Brugge ran out as 1-0 winners, with Tyrone Mings punished for his bizarre handball.
Villa – who are currently eighth in the league table after four matches – have since suffered some injury troubles to some of their key players.
Ezri Konsa and Amadou Onana both sustained injuries on national duty and are doubts for the game while Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey are recovering from hamstring problems.
Emery felt the absence of the above stars in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace, although the Spaniard will perhaps count himself lucky when assessing his opponent’s crisis.
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Eight Juventus stars could miss Aston Villa clash including Douglas Luiz
Villa fans would have been hoping for a reunion with midfielder Douglas Luiz on Wednesday night after he left to join Juventus in the summer.
But, Luiz is a doubt for the clash against Villa with an ongoing muscle problem, along with seven of his teammates.
Dusan Vlahovic, who has scored nine goals in all competitions this term, suffered a thigh injury whilst on international duty with Serbia and could now miss the game.
Vlahovic is joined by Arkadiusz Milik, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since the start of the season, while Juan Cabal, Bremer, Weston McKennie, Nico Gonzalez and youngster Vasilije Adzic are all out through injury.
This isn’t an ideal situation for manager Thiago Motta to be in, although Juventus have gone unbeaten in Serie A this term after 13 matches and will pose a threat at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers can shine against Juventus
It’s been a whirlwind start to the campaign for youngster Morgan Rogers, who has thrust himself into the spotlight after some excellent performances for club and country.
Rogers was recently handed his England debut after signing a new contract at Villa Park and the attacking midfielder has been brilliant this term.
Although the 22-year-old was off the boil against Crystal Palace, the ball-carrying phenom can be the difference-maker at home to Juventus.
According to WhoScored, only AC Milan forward Rafael Leao has completed more successful dribbles than Rogers in the Champions League, telling of his importance on the European stage.
Afforded freedom by Emery in a central position, the former Middlesbrough man can wreak havoc against an injury-depleted Juventus side, who will come up with a plan to try and stop the English star.
