90min
·27 November 2024
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Yahoo sports90min
·27 November 2024
Two sides in promising positions meet in the Champions League on Wednesday when Aston Villa host Juventus in the West Midlands.
The Villans have lost a lot of form over the past month or so, failing to win any of their last six games in all competitions, but Unai Emery's side had previously won three matches in Europe to show they belong at the highest level.
Juve are still finding their feet under new boss Thiago Motta and have become difficult to beat, though a few too many games have ended in draws for La Vecchia Signora to be any higher than sixth in Serie A.
Here's 90min's preview of what should be an entertaining affair at Villa Park.
Onana won't feature on Wednesday / Crystal Pix/MB Media/GettyImages
Villa suffered a couple of damaging injury blows during the November international break and Amadou Onana remains sidelined, as does Jacob Ramsey. However, defender Ezri Konsa and midfielder Boubacar Kamara will be included in the matchday squad.
Ollie Watkins will continue to lead the line up front ahead of Morgan Rogers, with super sub Jhon Duran on the bench.
Matty Cash and Ross Barkley returned to action at the weekend and could each be handed starts at Villa Park.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Juventus (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Barkley, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers; Watkins.
Luis won't return to his former club / Stefano Guidi/GettyImages
Juve are without some key players for Wednesday's clash, with former Villan Douglas Luiz and forward Dusan Vlahovic not included in the traveling squad. Weston McKennie is also struggling with muscle fatigue and won't feature.
On top of that, defenders Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal are out for the long-term with cruciate ligament blows, while Nicolas Gonzalez, Vasilije Adzic and Arkadiusz Milik also aren't available.
Without Vlahovic, one of Timothy Weah or Teun Koopmeiners is expected to start up front.
Juventus predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Weah.
Villa's recent form has been little short of abysmal of late, but their spirit will be boosted by their results in Europe and they've already toppled a giant of the continent having bested Bayern Munich back in October.
Juve might have fancied their luck against Emery's outfit, but the absences of Vlahovic, Luiz and McKennie are significant and might lead to a home victory at a raucous Villa Park.
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