By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-22 17:41:20 | Updated at 2024-10-22 19:32:39
1 hour ago
Welcome to our coverage of the Champions League as Aston Villa host Bologna at Villa Park.
The hosts will look to continue their strong form after registering two wins in two games in their return to the top European competition.
Last time out, Unai Emery delivered a Champions League masterclass as his side beat Bayern Munich 1-0 and, in the game before that, they thrashed Young Boys 3-0 in Switzerland.
Emery’s team have started positively both continentally and domestically. They have a nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions and currently sit fourth in the Premier League with 17 points from eight games, having most recently beaten Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage.
Victory for Villa would see Emery pick up his 25th win in the Champions League – becoming the fifth Spanish manager to achieve the feat after Pep Guardiola, Rafael Benítez, Vicente del Bosque and Luis Enrique.
Tonight will see the two sides meet for the first time, with Bologna travelling to Birmingham with a slightly shakier record than their hosts.
In their previous two Champions League fixtures, they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool at Anfield and held to a 0-0 draw by Shakhtar Donetsk.
Domestically, they have racked up the draws under new manager Vincenzo Italiano. The team have lost only once in eight league games but have also drawn six of them, including a 2-2 draw with Genoa at the weekend where they surrendered a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes.
Villa have an almost fully fit squad, with Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings returning from injury after several months on the sidelines. Meanwhile, captain John McGinn returned from a hamstring problem to make a brief appearance at the weekend and will be available for tonight’s match.
Speaking ahead of the game about his team’s opponents, Emery said: “They have started with a new coach who is really playing very well in combination and defensively, being aggressive.
“They played a fantastic match against Liverpool and they deserved more against Liverpool.”
The game kicks off at 8pm BST and we will have team news for you shortly.
