Aston Villa vs Fenerbahce Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Aston Villa look to get back on the winning track with the visit of Turkish giants Fenerbahce to Villa Park in the UEFA Champions League.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Aston Villa preview: Frustrated at home
Aston Villa come into this one on the back of a 2-2 draw with Brentford at Villa Park in the Premier League the other day. Brentford took an early lead before Villa hit back a couple of minutes later before Villa took a late lead and The Bees did the same.
On the road, Villa found some form ahead of the international break with victories across three competitions, defeating Club Brugge in this competition, Coventry City in the EFL Cup and Tottenham Hotspur in the league.
Fenerbahce preview: Frustrating start
Fenerbahce currently sit fourth in the Turkish Super Lig after two wins, a draw and two defeats in their first five games but they have earned comfortable victories against Eyupspor and then Caykur Rizespor either side of the break.
The Turks started their UEFA Champions League campaign by stumbling to a 1-1 draw against Italian giants Roma at the Sukru Saracoglu with Archie Brown cancelling out Bryan Cristante’s opener for the visitors.
Aston Villa team news: Left-back injuries
Ian Maatsen sustained an injury last month and is sidelined for a while, while his deputy at left-back, summer signing Matteo Ruggeri, has also picked up a hamstring injury and so Unai Emery has a dilemma in that position – a position that Tyrone Mings once played when coming through the academy at Ipswich Town, albeit Aaron Wan-Bissaka feels likelier to fill in on that side.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Wan-Bissaka; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Manzambi, Buendia; Jackson
Unavailable: Cisse (Injured), Maatsen (Injured), Onana (Injured), Goretzka (Fitness)
Questionable: Ruggeri (Injured), Hemmings (Injured), Madjo (Fitness)
Fenerbahce team news: A few issues
As they make the trip to Birmingham, Fenerbahce are without versatile defender Jayden Oosterwolde and Turkiye international full-back Mert Muldur, as well as Amara Diouf.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Ake, Brown; Guendouzi, Kante; Greenwood, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Muriqi
Unavailable: Oosterwolde (Injured), Muldur (Injured), Diouf (Injured)
Questionable:
Aston Villa vs Fenerbahce prediction
Aston Villa have not yet found their groove or what they will believe and hope to be their consistent best just yet but Unai Emery is a pragmatic coach that solves problems – and he is dealing with a few after a major overhaul of the squad over the summer. That said, they have steadily improved as the season has gone on and they will surely fancy themselves to overcome a largely flakey Fenerbahce side.
Aston Villa vs Fenerbahce Tip: Aston Villa to win
