Barcelona v. Aston Villa Preview: Villa aim to extend perfect start

Barcelona will look to get their Champions League campaign back on track when they host Aston Villa on Tuesday.

Villa have made a perfect start to the competition and currently sit second in the League Phase.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick believes the Spanish champions will have to be at their best to take all three points.

Flick told reporters that, “For us, it will be a tough game against a good team and, as well, a great coach.” 

Form Guide:

Barcelona retained their position at the top of La Liga with a 6-1 win at home to Alaves on Saturday.

The Blaugrana’s advantage had been cut to two points by Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat at home to Real Madrid the previous Sunday.

Flick’s side also lost their most recent Champions League game 4-2 away to PSG, but have won their only home game in the competition so far this season, a 5-1 victory over Feyenoord.

Aston Villa have won all three of their Champions League games this season, against Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, and Viking.

Their league form has been more variable, however.

Unai Emery’s side followed up a run of six wins and a draw in seven games, with a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup, and a 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Premier League.

Emery has said that he “wants to see more consistency” from Villa.

Head-to-Head:

These two teams faced each other in two-legged ties in the 1978 UEFA Cup and 1983 Super Cup.

Barcelona won the UEFA cup tie 4-3 on aggregate, with Villa winning the Super Cup tie 3-1 on aggregate five years later.

The Blaugrana won their home leg in both ties.

Team News:

Barcelona will be without their first two choices at right-back, with both Xavi Espart and Jules Kounde recovering from ankle injuries.

The home-side are also missing centre-backs Andreas Christensen, due to a muscle injury, and Eric Garcia, due to a hamstring tear.

In the attacking areas, right-winger Roony Bardghji and attacking midfielder Dani Olmo are also expected to miss out.

Villa meanwhile have lost both left-back Matteo Ruggeri and right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka with hamstring injuries.

Defensive midfielder Amadou Onana is also missing due to a cruciate ligament tear.

Predicted Starting 11s:

Barcelona (4-3-3): Joan Garcia, Joao Cancelo, Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Brian Farinas, Pedri, Rodri, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal.

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Zion Suzuki, Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, Matty Cash, Leon Goretzka, Boubacar Camara, Emiliano Buendia, John McGinn, Alysson, Nicolas Jackson.

Match Prediction:

Aston Villa have made a strong start to their Champions League campaign this season and have a coach who is highly experienced in European football.

Barcelona are by far the strongest team they have faced in this season’s competition however and have shown greater consistency in the league.

Villa carry a threat, especially with Nicolas Jackson in excellent form, but the home side are firm favourites.

Barcelona 3-1 Aston Villa