Unai Emery’s Aston Villa face a stern test on Wednesday night as they welcome Italian giants Juventus to Villa Park in the Champions League. Villa’s form has dipped over the past month, but they’ll be buoyed by their perfect European record at home.
The Villains exceeded all expectations with a perfect start, securing three consecutive wins in the Champions League (L1), but they now face a crucial encounter against Juve.
A defeat could see the Italian side leapfrog them in the group table. However, Villa boast a formidable home record in Europe, winning eight of their last nine on home soil. Emery also has an excellent record against Juventus, having beaten them twice before with Sevilla and Villarreal.
While Juventus are a European heavyweight, their record on English soil is far from stellar. They’ve only won three of their last 15 away matches against English sides in European competition. Their only success in their previous seven Champions League away trips came against RB Leipzig earlier this season.
Villa will be without Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara, and Ezri Konsa due to injury. Emery may hand starts to Ross Barkley and Matty Cash in midfield and defence. Up front, Ollie Watkins will likely retain his starting spot ahead of Jhon Duran.
Juventus have a striker crisis, with Dusan Vlahovic struggling with a thigh issue and Arkadiusz Milik out until next year. Manager Thiago Motta may be forced to field a team without a recognised centre-forward. Also, key players Douglas Luiz and Weston McKennie are both doubtful due to muscular problems.
Juventus have crucial defenders missing including, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal.
This will be the third time Aston Villa and Juventus have faced each other in the European Cup/Champions League, following two meetings in the 1982/83 quarter-finals. Juventus won 5-2 on aggregate.
Aston Villa Predicted XI v Juventus
(4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Ross Barkley, Youri Tielemans; Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers, John McGinn; Ollie Watkins.
