For the first time since 1982/83, when they were defending champions no less, Aston Villa will compete in Europe’s premier club competition, so will their maiden Champions League campaign commence with a victory on the road in Bern?
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Young Boys in Champions League
How Aston Villa Have Lined up Recently
Unai Emery has had a largely settled starting XI throughout this season so far, with only right-back and one of the winger positions up for grabs.
Jacob Ramsey has started back-to-back games so is set to keep his place at Stadion Wankdorf, with Lamare Bogarde likely to continue at full-back.
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Up front, Ollie Watkins’ brace during the weekend win over Everton should see him retain his place, although he’s certainly under pressure from Jhon Durán, who’s now scored the winner in all three of Villa’s victories during this campaign, including an absolute rocket at the weekend.
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Of players likely to feature in Bern, only Emi Martínez, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, Ross Barkley and Ian Maatsen, who started last season’s final at Wembley, have previous Champions League expirence.
Aston Villa’s Recent Form and Tactics
Aston Villa’s impressive start to the season continued at the weekend, fighting back from 2-0 down to defeat Everton at Villa Park, with Durán’s aforementioned rocket completing the turnaround 14 minutes from time.
The Claret and Blue Army had previously enjoyed 2-1 away wins over both West Ham and Leicester, a narrow home reverse at the hands of Arsenal the only blot on their copy book.
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Now, Villa will make their long-awaited Champions League return, a day many supporters may have believed would never come.
While a trip to Swiss champions BSC Young Boys is hardly the glamour fixture they were dreaming of, fear not, Bayern Munich will be visiting the Midlands in a fortnight, with Juventus and Celtic amongst those also set to pilgrimage to Birmingham in the coming months.
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Given this however, collecting three points from this opener is vitally important but, considering Young Boys have lost only nine of their last 32 European home matches, defeating Juve, Manchester United and Bayern Leverkusen, amongst others, during this period, that’ll be easier said than done.
Aston Villa Injuries to Consider
Matt Cash remains sidelined meaning, as alluded to, Bogarde will deputise at right-back, with Kosta Nedeljković the other option.
Leon Bailey is also a doubt, having sat out the weekend win, but there is optimism that he’ll be back soon, albeit not in time for this trip to Switzerland.
Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are also sidelined long-term but, in better news, Emi Buendía came off the bench for a brief cameo on Saturday, his first appearance for 475 days, after rupturing his ACL on the eve of last season.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Young Boys
GK: Emi Martínez
RB: Lamare Bogarde
CB: Ezri Konsa
CB: Pau Torres
LB: Lucas Digne
CM: Amadou Onana
CM: Youri Tielemans
CAM: John McGinn
CAM: Jacob Ramsey
CF: Morgan Rogers
ST: Ollie Watkins
