FULL TIME
3-0
MATCH PREVIEW & MORE INFO
Young Boys : possible starting lineup: Von Ballmoos; Blum, Camara, Zoukrou, Hadjam; Lauper, Niasse; Monteiro, Ugrinic, Colley; Ganvoula
Aston Villa : possible starting lineup: Martinez; Nedeljkovic, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Ramsey, Rogers; Watkins
Match Preview
Aston Villa are set to make their Champions League debut on Tuesday after a 41-year absence, taking on Young Boys in Bern. Villa's return to Europe's top competition comes after an impressive Premier League season, where they secured a top-four finish under Unai Emery. The club last competed at this level in 1982 when they won the European Cup.
Villa enter this match in strong form, winning three of their first four Premier League games this season. Despite a tough loss to Arsenal, they showed resilience with a thrilling 3-2 comeback win against Everton, thanks to Ollie Watkins and a stunning strike by Jhon Duran. However, Villa’s away record in European competitions has been inconsistent, with only two wins from their last 11 trips.
Young Boys, the reigning Swiss champions, earned their place in the Champions League after overcoming Galatasaray in the playoff. Despite their success in qualifying, they’ve struggled domestically, failing to win any of their first six Swiss Super League matches. They will look to build on their momentum from the Galatasaray win as they face Villa.
Unai Emery has most of his key players available, though Leon Bailey and Matty Cash are sidelined with injuries. Ollie Watkins will lead Villa’s attack, supported by Jhon Duran, who has made a habit of scoring crucial goals off the bench.
Young Boys, meanwhile, will rely on Silvere Ganvoula and other forwards like Cedric Itten to break down Villa’s defense, with goalkeeper David von Ballmoos returning from injury.
Villa will aim to make a strong start to their Champions League campaign, knowing tougher tests lie ahead in their group.