Barcelona vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Barcelona bounced back in some style at the weekend as the Blaugrana now welcome UEFA Champions League 100%-ers Aston Villa to Camp Nou.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – Paramount+
Barcelona preview: Bouncing back
Barcelona hammered Deportivo Alaves by six goals to one at Camp Nou the other day in La Liga, with braces apiece for Raphinha and Lamine Yamal as well as strikes from Fermin Lopez and Anthony Gordon.
That impressive victory for for the Catalans was much-needed after they had succumbed to back-to-back defeats; losing to Paris Saint-Germain in this competition before losing the Clasico to Real Madrid.
Aston Villa preview: Frustrated at the weekend
Aston Villa were left frustrated at the weekend as The Villans were pegged back by Fulham due to a second half own goal scored by Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, with Villa now looking to bounce back.
They had found some excellent form after a tough start to the campaign and that has shone through in this competition, having won three from three in the UEFA Champions League with victories against Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Viking.
Barcelona team news: Several issues
Barca have a few injury issues for this one, particularly defensively, as Jules Kounde works his way back to full fitness, while Eric Garcia and Xavi Espart remain unavailable for the hosts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): J. Garcia; Cancelo, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Gordon; Raphinha
Unavailable: E. Garcia (Injured), Espart (Injured), Olmo (Injured), Bardghji (Injured)
Questionable: Christensen (Fitness), Kounde (Fitness)
Aston Villa team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Aston Villa to deal with as full-back duo Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Matteo Ruggeri are missing with Belgium international midfielder Amadou Onana having suffered an ACL injury in the summer.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; Alysson, Manzambi, McGinn; Jackson
Unavailable: Wan-Bissaka (Injured), Ruggeri (Injured), Onana (Injured)
Questionable:
Barcelona vs Aston Villa prediction
In their 14 matches across all competitions so far this season, Barca have found the net, staggeringly, on 57 occasions. Villa themselves have got 12 in three UEFA Champions League matches and Unai Emery is often a man with a plan. He usually gets his team to identify and exploit weaknesses well - and the extreme high-line of Barca is something that can be punished so an entertaining and high-scoring contest feels a good bet for this one in Barcelona.
Barcelona vs Aston Villa Tip: Over 2.5 goals
