Aston Villa’s path in the league phase of the Champions League became clear on Thursday night.
Unai Emery’s side discovered the eight clubs they will face on Villa’s first appearance in Europe’s premier competition since 1983, with the draw throwing up a rematch of our one and only European Cup final, a reunion with a fan favourite and six maiden meetings.
Here we take a closer look at the teams that the Villans will play in the league phase…
Bayern Munich
Villa have history with the first team that we were drawn to face in this season’s Champions League. We may have only played one match against the German giants, but it happens to be the most famous in our 150-year history. A remarkable night in Rotterdam on 26 May 1982 saw Villa overcome Munich 1-0 to win the European Cup via a goal from Peter Withe.
Munich have been crowned kings of Europe six times, most recently lifting the trophy in 2020 when they beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0. After being dethroned as Bundesliga champions last season following 11 consecutive titles, the club installed Vincent Kompany as boss and began the new domestic league campaign with a 3-2 success at Wolfsburg.
RB Leipzig
Leipzig is another familiar foe for Villa to tackle after the two sides met in pre-season. The German outfit took the honours 2-0 as both teams found fitness and form at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. The club has enjoyed a rapid rise since energy drinks company Red Bull took over the playing rights to fifth-tier German side SSV Markranstädt in 2009.
After changing the name and investing heavily in pursuit of Bundesliga football, the club reached the top flight for the first time in 2017 and made an instant impact by finishing second in their maiden season. Leipzig have finished in the top four in the past six seasons while also winning the German Cup twice in that span.
Club Brugge
Our first opponents from Pot 2 of the draw, Villa will travel to Bruges to take on Club Brugge. The two clubs have never met in a competitive fixture but have completed transfer business in recent years, with Wesley and Marvelous Nakamba both joining Villa from the Belgian side.
Like Emery’s team, Brugge reached the semi-finals of last season’s Europa Conference League, where they fell to Fiorentina. They fared better in their domestic division, winning the league for the 19th time in the club’s history.
Juventus
A reunion with Douglas Luiz is set to take place, with the Brazilian returning swiftly to Villa Park after his summer move to Turin. The midfielder grew as a player and as a person during five years as a Villa and now patrols the centre of the pitch for the Bianconeri.
New head coach Thiago Motta has overseen a pair of victories to start the Serie A season, winning both games 3-0, as they look to win a first league title since 2020. Juve have won Europe’s top honour on two occasions, most recently in 1996 when they edged Ajax on penalties.
Celtic
Celtic will make the relatively short trip south of the border to Birmingham. Somewhat surprisingly, it will be the first competitive match between the two great clubs. Like Villa, the Bhoys have one European Cup in their trophy cabinet, winning the tournament in 1967.
The club continue to be a powerhouse domestically, and after winning the SPL last term is now just one title away from equalling Rangers’ record of 55. Manager Brendan Rodgers has racked up nine trophies during two spells in charge and his side have won their first four games of the new campaign.
Young Boys
Bern is another city destined to be swimming in claret and blue this season after Villa drew Young Boys from Pot 3. The Swiss side are one of the country’s most successful teams and are regulars in European competition.
Their best performance in the continent’s best competition remains a run to the semi-finals back in the 1958-59 season. Young Boys ran away with the Swiss Super League last term, cantering to the title by 12 points. Patrick Rahmen joined as the club’s new head coach over the summer and will be looking to make an impact in the revamped Champions League.
Bologna
Sixty years after they last mixed it with Europe’s elite, Bologna is back in the big time. The Italians, whose only previous qualification for the European Cup came on the back of a league title in 1964, will head to Villa Park as part of their maiden Champions League campaign.
However, they make the journey to B6 without the head coach who helped them get there, Thiago Motta, who is now in charge of Villa’s other Italian opponents, Juventus. Vincenzo Italiano replaced him and has made a low-key start in Serie A, drawing with Udinese before losing 3-0 to Napoli.
AS Monaco
The final team to fall onto Villa’s schedule was AS Monaco, another club who we have never faced in a competitive fixture. Fans will be in for an interesting trip if making the journey to Monaco, which is the second-smallest independent state in the world. And while it is not part of France, they compete in Ligue 1 and are eight-time winners of the country’s top tier.
Adolf Hütter masterminded a second-place finish in his first season in charge last term, a campaign that was devoid of European football. Monaco have begun their league season strongly, seeing off both Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyon.
Seasonal Hospitality Packages
Secure your seat for all Champions League games at Villa Park via a seasonal hospitality package for the 2024/25 season.
Supporters can still purchase packages in the 150 Club, Legends Lounge and The Oak Room, with all Premier League, domestic cup and Champions League fixtures at Villa Park included.
