Aston Villa put their 100% winning run in this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) on the line when they travel to face a Barcelona side who have been nothing short of rampant this term.
Match News and Current Form
Barcelona are amongst the favourites to win the UCL according to Opta’s prediction model, but their credentials were dashed in the last round when they fell 4-2 against PSG. Following that up with a defeat to Real Madrid in El Clásico raised doubts over their credentials, but responding with a 6-1 victory over Alavés on Saturday night silenced some doubters ahead of their quest to stretch their impressive run of ten wins from their last 12 UCL group/league phase matches (D1, L1). They don’t always have it all their own way though, as a failure to keep a clean sheet in 18 UCL matches proves, but conceding rarely proves fatal at the Nou Camp, where Barca have won six of their seven competitive games this season (L1).
Aston Villa are one of five sides with a 100% winning record in this season’s UCL after the opening three rounds, but they were denied that winning feeling on Saturday night when they were held to a 1-1 draw against Fulham. It’s now successive failures to win for Unai Emery’s men after their midweek cup exit, which serves as something of a reality check following a run of six wins in seven competitive games prior. Despite the calibre of opposition, they might still be hopeful of a return to that kind of form in Europe, having won 14 of their last 16 European fixtures (L2) and each of their last six league phase matches in UEFA competition.
Head-to-Head History
All four H2Hs between these sides came over 40 years ago (BAR: W2, D1, L1). Barcelona are unbeaten in 15 home matches against English opposition (W10, D5), while Villa have lost their last three European outings against Spanish sides.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Barcelona's last 18 league phase matches produced an average of 5.06 goals per game!
Barcelona conceded the first goal in nine of their last 12 UCL games.
Four of Villa’s last five competitive away matches produced 6+ yellow cards.
Villa’s last ten UCL outings produced an average of 4.3 goals per game.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Barcelona’s Raphinha already has 17 goals to his name this season following his weekend brace and he’s netted in six of their seven home matches this term. Emery may recall Emiliano Buendía to the starting XI here given Villa have won 19 of his last 20 goalscoring appearances for the club (L1), including all six in Europe.
Jules Koundé missed Barcelona’s game at the weekend, while Villa seemingly have no fresh concerns.
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Betting Analysis
Goals are typically assured when Barcelona play, so taking the approach of over 4.5 match goals could be a bold punt which pays off.
Author: Chris Wilson