Unai Emery will be hoping a Champions League showdown with Juventus is what ignites their campaign back into life.
It’s been a miserable spell for Aston Villa, with Unai Emery’s men going on a winless run of six matches in all competitions.
Most recently, Villa were held to a 2-2 by Crystal Palace and Stan Collymore was critical of Emery’s high line, as Oliver Glasner’s men punished them on the counterattack.
Although Juventus have endured an injury crisis with eight players sidelined, including Douglas Luiz, affording the visitors as much space as they did on Saturday could prove costly in the Champions League.
Despite all of their injury troubles, Thiago Motta’s men have gone unbeaten in 13 Serie A matches and will devise a plan to inflict another loss on Emery this term.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery left with big decision as Aston Villa boss hints at possible starting XI v Juventus
Thiago Motta explains Juventus gameplan vs Aston Villa
Motta acknowledges how ‘dangerous’ Villa can be on the counter as Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are ready to spring in behind the defence with their pace.
The Italian boss knows that stopping the counter and defending well is the key for Juventus to secure a positive result, as he explained in his pre-match press conference.
“Continuity of everything we have done so far. We played a good game against Milan,” Motta said via Football Italia. “Tomorrow we’ll play a team who are very dangerous on the counterattack.
“We have to be solid in defence and not leave space for their trequartistas. We have to be compact and defend well. We have to use the ball well when we have it.”
In the new Champions League format, there is little to separate the two sides – Villa are in 12th on nine points while Juventus are trailing by two points in 16th.
It promises to be an exciting spectacle at Villa Park, as seen with their previous home games in this competition.
Jhon Duran can be the hero for Aston Villa
The winner of this clash could be decided by a moment of brilliance, and striker Jhon Duran has proven he’s the man for the big occasion.
Duran’s screamer against Bayern Munich to win 1-0 was one of five goals he’s scored from the bench this term, and the Colombian will be eyeing further glory against Juve.
| Jhon Duran’s 2024/25 Champions League record | Goal | Minutes played |
| Young Boys – 3-0 win | 0 | 30 |
| Bayern Munich – 1-0 win | 1 | 20 |
| Bologna – 2-0 win | 1 | 65 |
| Club Brugge – 1-0 loss | 0 | 32 |
There is a case to be made for the 20-year-old to start in this Champions League clash, as he’s delivered multiple incredible moments.
But, the talented striker is still battling Watkins – who is one of Europe’s best strikers – for a spot in the starting XI.
Hopefully, Emery gives Duran enough minutes in this one to prove he’s the invaluable weapon he can unleash from the bench.
