Barcelona vs Aston Villa Today: Champions League Preview, Team News & TV Info
Unai Emery's visitors have won all three matches so far in the competition, while Hansi Flick's side are looking to respond after losing to Paris Saint-Germain. Here is the latest Barcelona vs Aston Villa today preview, including team news, predicted starting XIs and TV information.
Barcelona vs Aston Villa Today - Recent Form Barcelona got back to winning ways on Saturday with a 6-1 demolition of Alavés, but the result came after two difficult defeats. Flick's side lost 4-2 away to Champions League holders PSG before suffering a 2-1 Clásico defeat to Real Madrid.
They have six points from their opening three European matches and sit eighth in the league-phase standings. Another home win would be important as they look to secure a place in the top eight and avoid the knockout play-offs.
Aston Villa arrive in Catalonia with a perfect European record. Emery's team have beaten Club Brugge, Fenerbahçe and Viking to collect nine points and move into second place, behind only PSG on goal difference.
Their domestic momentum has been less convincing, however. Villa lost 3-0 at Bournemouth in the League Cup beforedrawing 1-1 with Fulham on Saturday.
Emery also returns to Barcelona, where he will be familiar with the expectations and pressure surrounding a major European night. The clubs have not met in competitive action since the 1983 UEFA Super Cup, which Villa won 3-1 on aggregate.
Jules Koundé, Eric García, Andreas Christensen and Xavi Espart are unavailable, while Dani Olmo is also out with an adductor injury. Roony Bardghji remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Christensen has taken a small step forward by returning to partial training, but he is not ready to feature against Villa. Flick expects several of his injured defenders to return after the international break, while Espart faces a much longer recovery.
The Alavés victory showed how Flick can adapt, with Frenkie de Jong moving into central defense and academy player Brian Fariñas making his first-team debut at right-back. For Tuesday, Joan García is expected to start in goal, with João Cancelo, Gerard Martín, Pau Cubarsí and Alejandro Balde likely to form the back four.