Here’s the team news and confirmed lineups for Aston Villa vs Juventus, as well as a preview and prediction for Wednesday night’s Champions League clash at Villa Park.
Aston Villa Vs Juventus Preview
Few would have predicted Aston Villa’s incredible start to life back at Europe’s top table.
Three wins in their opening three matches saw them beat Young Boys and Bologna either side of a superb win over German giants Bayern Munich.
Although they did suffer a surprise defeat to Belgian side Club Brugge, Villa are still in the top eight of the Champions League and on track to reach the knockuts.
However, they have been in a poor run of form in recent weeks. Villa have not won since beating Bologna in October.
This has seen them slip to eighth in the Premier League, though only four points below second-placed Manchester City.
They will need to rediscover their early-season form if they are to beat Juventus, though.
La Vecchia Signora have not been at their best so far this season, and are currently sixth in Serie A, but look to be gaining some form.
Juventus are unbeaten in their last six matches, last losing 1-0 to Stuttgart in the Champions League.
They are two points and three places below Aston Villa in the competition, having picked up two wins and a draw alongside their one defeat.
Aston Villa and Juventus will be meeting competitively for the first time in four decades on Wednesday. They have not played each other in Europe since 1983, when reigning European Cup winners Villa were beaten 5-2 on aggregate.
Despite their low placing in the Serie A table, Juve are the only unbeaten side left in the Italian top flight. They have also conceded a league-fewest of just seven goals in 13 matches.
But having won just three of their last 15 games on English soil, they will need to upset the history books if they are to take maximum points from Villa Park.
Another #UCL night at Villa Park 🔜 pic.twitter.com/lWPOKlzCJE
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 25, 2024
Aston Villa Vs Juventus Team News
Villa will be without likely starters Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) and Amadou Onana (foot) after Onana picked up his injury with Belgium over the international break.
Unai Emery is also expected to be missing Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara, meaning possible call-ups for Ross Barkley and Matty Cash.
In attack, Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran have both been in fine form, with the latter scoring twice in Champions League ties at Villa Park this season. However, we think Watkins is the more likely to start of the two.
For Juventus, talismanic striker Dusan Vlahovic is a major doubt after limping off in Serbia’s draw with Denmark recently.
And with backup forward Arkadiusz Milik ruled out until the new year, Thiago Motta’s attacking options are extremely stretched.
ACL injuries have sidelined defenders Bremer and Juan Cabal. Also missing is Argentinian winger Nico Gonzalez (thigh).
Ex-Villa man Douglas Luiz is another doubt, as is American international midfielder, Weston McKennie.
Aston Villa Vs Juventus Confirmed Lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins
Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Weah
Aston Villa Vs Juventus Prediction
Juve have conceded a very low number of goals this season. With Villa’s poor recent run, they will need another memorable European night to hold off their Italian opponents.
While far from impossible, we think Villa will struggle and may not have enough to stop the black and white juggernaut heading their way.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Juventus
