Tonight Aston Villa make their Champions League debut after an incredible league campaign in 2023/24. Their first test takes place in Bern against BSC Young Boys, where they are favourites to get a result on match day one.
INMR predicted that Aston Villa would reach this competition back in December 2023, so now that they are there, let’s take a look at what to expect from them tonight in Bern.
The Villains will be the first English newcomers to the competition since Leicester City in 2016/17, and they are becoming the 11th different English side to compete in the UEFA Champions League since it began in 1992. Although they’ve never competed in the Champions League before, Villa are former winners of the European Cup (1981-82).
Despite not being regulars in Europe, manager Unai Emery has plenty of experience at this level, having already managed five clubs in the Champions League after spells with Valencia, Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, PSG and Villarreal. In fact, the only coach who’s managed more different clubs in the competition is the great Carlo Ancelotti (eight).
Embed from Getty ImagesVilla’s hosts Young Boys don’t have a particularly impressive record in the Champions League. While they did win their last home game in the competition, against Crvena Zvezda last season, they’ve not won successive UCL matches at the Wankdorf Stadium for several years. Since 2000, including qualifiers, Young Boys have a win percentage of just 27.08% in the Champions League. They have played 48 matches, won 13, drawn 13 and lost 22.
Additionally, the Swiss side have endured a terrible start to their domestic season. After six matches, they are still winless and sit bottom of the table with three points; it’s their worst start to a league season in over a century.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis will be the first ever competitive meeting between Young Boys and Aston Villa. However English sides have typically done very well against Swiss teams. In the previous 24 meetings, Swiss sides have won just seven matches, losing 11 and drawing six. Only one of the seven victories were achieved by Young Boys, that was in 2021 against Manchester United, where they won 2-1 at home. Last season in the Champions League, Young Boys lost twice to Manchester City in the group stages.
Embed from Getty ImagesNew boss Patrick Rahmen has had a poor start at Young Boys, with his side struggling to adapt to the new tactics in all areas of the pitch. The 55-year-old’s direct style of play doesn’t suit Young Boys, who are used to a far more possession-based approach.
As a result, Young Boys have found themselves struggling to break down defensive blocks and leaving their defence exposed. This has seen them suffer a 4-0 defeat to St. Gallen and 3-1 against Servette. Their average of 16.5 shots conceded per match is the second-highest in the league, something Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins will likely take advantage of this evening.
Embed from Getty Images“I had dreams when I arrived here to play in the Champions League and be competitive in this competition,” Emery told TNT Sports.
“But we are going to set our new mentality, our new objective. Because we are now not comfortable playing in the Premier League and being in the middle. We want to be competitive, get in Europe, and be consistent.”
One of the talking points ahead of the clash is the artificial surface at the Wankdorf Stadium. But Emery is resolute that his players will not be using that as an excuse and will adapt to what they encounter. “We have to accept and we have to adapt to the pitches we are playing,” Emery said.
Embed from Getty ImagesYoung Boys vs Aston Villa Champions League Squads
Young Boys: David von Ballmoos, Marvin Keller, Dario Marzino, Jaouen Hadjam, Banhie Zoukrou, Patric Pfeiffer, Mohamed Ali Camara, Saidy Janko, Abdu Conté, Loris Benito, Zachary Athekame, Lewin Blum, Filip Ugrinic, Lukasz Lakomy, Kastriot Imeri, Miguel Chaiwa, Cheikh Niasse, Sandro Lauper, Darian Males, Cédric Itten, Ebrima Colley, Meschack Elia, Alan Virginius, Silvère Ganvoula.
Head Coach: Patrick Rahmen
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martínez, Robin Olsen, Joe Gauci, Matty Cash, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendía, Jaden Philogene, Amadou Onana, Jacob Ramsey, Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Jhon Durán, Ollie Watkins.
Head Coach: Unai Emery
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Isabelle Newnham
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