Aston Villa is feeling the pressure as they prepare to take on Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. After a promising start to the season, Villa has hit a rough patch, going six matches without a victory, the latest being a 1-0 loss to Club Brugge. The team, currently sitting eighth in the Champions League table, is desperate to turn their fortunes around and secure a spot in the Round of 16. Manager Unai Emery has seen his midfield decimated by injuries, which has hampered their performance. Key players like Ezri Konsa and Jacob Ramsey are sidelined, while Amadou Onana is also out due to a minor injury. However, Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn are set to start, aiming to bolster the team’s chances.
On the other hand, Juventus is also struggling, positioned at 11th place after managing only three wins in their last nine games. They face injury challenges as well, with Brazilian defender Bremer out for the season due to an ACL tear. Although Arkadiusz Milik is close to recovery, he will not feature yet. Dusan Vlahovic remains unavailable with a muscle injury, leading to Tim Weah taking the center-forward role.
The match is crucial for both teams as they attempt to break their winless streaks and gain momentum in the Champions League. Aston Villa’s lineup features E. Martinez in goal, with a defensive line of Cash, Carlos, Torres, and Digne. The midfield will be bolstered by Kamara and Tielemans, while Watkins leads the attack. Meanwhile, Juventus will field Di Gregorio as their goalkeeper, supported by a defense that includes Savona and Gatti, with Khephren Thuram and Locatelli anchoring the midfield. As both teams grapple with injuries, fans can expect an intense battle on the pitch.