Aston Villa begin our Champions League campaign at Young Boys, and Unai Emery has named his starting line-up for the encounter.
After a positive start to our Premier League season, it’s hoped that we can transfer that form over to Europe as we look to make a positive start on our return to the top table.
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While our opponents have struggled and made a poor start to the campaign domestically, every game at this level is going to a challenge, and so Villa will have to be at their best in order to come away from Switzerland with all three points.
There was positive news on Monday as Leon Bailey was included in the squad having recovered from his hamstring injury, but the likes of Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara were expected to still be absent.
Nevertheless, there is improved quality and depth in this Villa squad now, and while there was intrigue over whether or not Emery would make any changes, the Villa boss has gone with a strong XI, as seen in the club’s post below.
It is indeed the same line-up from the weekend as Emery has opted to go with an unchanged side, and it’s hoped that with the balance they’ve developed coupled with the sharpness and fluidity with which we’ve been playing, is showcased on the pitch again in this one.
Bailey does provide an important boost as he’s named on the bench, and so it’s great to have him back in the fold given how decisive he can be for us moving forward. The bench as a whole is strong once again too, as Emery will certainly have options at his disposal to change the game if required.
After working tirelessly to get here, Villa are now set for a return to Europe’s premier club competition. It’s hoped that this group of players can make the class of 1982 and all of us proud by writing a memorable new chapter in the club’s history.
Your Aston Villa squad for our first Champions League match 🫡#UpTheVilla pic.twitter.com/dIzacg3DBD
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 17, 2024
