Barcelona v Aston Villa to begin with unusual Champions League tribute

Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Aston Villa at Camp Nou on Tuesday evening will take place without the competition’s traditional anthem.

The decision has been confirmed by UEFA as an exceptional measure for the fourth round of the league phase.

A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off to honour Jesus de Miguel Almeida, the Tenerife striker who died on Tuesday aged 30 after suffering serious injuries during his side’s match against Andorra.

The tribute will also remember the victims of the most recent train accident in Orda. UEFA said the Champions League anthem would not be played as a further mark of respect.

The anthem is a defining part of the competition and is traditionally heard before matches begin, providing a familiar moment for players and supporters. Its absence at Camp Nou will therefore make Tuesday’s fixture an unusual occasion in the tournament’s history.