Champions League: Villa Must Pick Themselves Up Fast

Aston Villa vs Juventus

Aston Villa have been through a lot in the past few weeks, and they’re up for another big challenge when Juventus visit Villa Park on Wednesday evening.

Since their 2-0 win against Bologna, Unai Emery’s men are winless in their last five games across all competitions. However, they’re still in the Top 8 in the Champions League standings.

Juventus are not far behind, sitting in 11^th place, but a win on Wednesday would put Thiago Motta and co. in the Top 8 mix.

The Old Lady are in better form than the hosts since they have won two of their last five games across all competitions (D3).

This contest between Aston Villa and Juventus is easily one of the best games for matchday 5, and SBOTOP has you covered with our newest match preview.

 

Talking Points

Aston Villa’s midfield depth is compromised

Aston Villa raised eyebrows when they notched three consecutive wins in the Champions League against Young Boys, Bayern Munich, and Bologna. But since then, they experienced a significant downturn in form.

After a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, Aston Villa lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup Round of 16 before suffering losses against Tottenham (4-1), Club Brugge (1-0), and Liverpool (2-0).

And last weekend, the Villans settled for another draw against Crystal Palace (2-2).

Unai Emery’s rotations, particularly in the middle of the park, is thinned out over the past few weeks because Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) and Amadou Onana (foot) picked up injuries.

Onana, Aston Villa’s top summer signing, has been the granite of the team at the No. 6 position. The Belgian enforcer will be out for at least two to three weeks after he got hurt while on international duty.

With Onana and Ramsey on the sidelines, Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans will continue to start in midfield.

Matty Cash will also start for Ezri Konsa, who also sustained an injury while playing for England during the international break.

 

Vlahovic is a game-time decision for Juventus

Juventus are fresh from a goalless draw against AC Milan, as Thiago Motta had to tweak his formation because of a lack of a bona fide No. 9.

With Dusan Vlahovic, Arek Milik, and Nico Gonzalez on the sidelines, Motta deployed a 4-2-2-2, with Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners up front, and it failed miserably.

Milik and Gonzalez are still unavailable on Wednesday, but Vlahovic might return in the lineup because he will travel with the team to Birmingham. If Vlahovic won’t start, expect Motta to have Tim Weah and Kenan Yildiz up front.

In other Champions League 2024 news, Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal remain long-term absentees after succumbing to ACL injuries this season, while former Villa Park favourite Douglas Luiz might not play due to a muscular injury.

 

History

Wednesday marks the third-ever competitive meeting between Aston Villa and Juventus. The last time these two teams met was in the two-legged quarter-finals of the 1982-83 Champions League, where Juventus won 5-2 on aggregate (2-1 in the first leg, 3-1 in the second leg).

Juventus have only won three of their last 15 away matches against English sides in European competition (D3, L9), while this will be their first trip back to England since losing 4-0 to Chelsea in the Champions League in November 2021.

Aston Villa have won seven of their last eight home matches in major European competitions (L1), including their opening two Champions League home matches against Bayern Munich and Bologna.

If they win on Wednesday, the Villans could be the first team since Tottenham (2010) and Leicester City (2016) to win their opening three Champions League home matches of a single campaign among English sides.

 

Betting Tip

The Champions League 2024 odds expect a tight affair between Aston Villa and Juventus on Wednesday. Because they’re playing at home, Aston Villa have the slight edge at 2.35, while Juventus are right behind them at 2.87 in the 1X2 market.

Aston Villa may have the weapons up front, but Juventus are generally tough to break down because of their seemingly endless supply of grit. With that said, we believe these two teams will share the spoils.

The Villans and the Bianconeri have had their share of high-scoring matches, but don’t expect one this weekend. Bettors can also go for Under 2.50 at 1.75, Under 2.25 at 2.03, Under 2.00 at 2.38, or even Total Goal 0-1 at 2.77.

A Correct Score of 0-0 – a likely possibility – also has a generous offer of 8.80.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.