Barcelona face Aston Villa test as Lamine Yamal targets Champions League record

Unai Emery returns to the scene of the Remontada on Tuesday as Aston Villa put their perfect Champions League record on the line against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Aston Villa have won all three of their matches in the 2026-27 league phase, while Barcelona’s unbeaten start ended against holders Paris Saint-Germain on matchday three. PSG won a six-goal thriller 4-2 at Parc des Princes, ending Barcelona’s run of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions.

Barcelona then suffered another setback when Jose Mourinho led Real Madrid to an unexpected La Liga victory at Camp Nou in the Clasico. However, Hansi Flick’s side responded on Saturday by defeating Alaves 6-1, ending a run of two successive defeats and preserving a two-point lead over Atletico de Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The Catalans have scored at least three goals in every match this season except the 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid last month. Their defensive record is less convincing, with the goal conceded by Alaves extending their run to five games without a clean sheet. Barcelona have allowed at least one goal in nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions.

They do, though, have a strong home record against English opposition, remaining unbeaten in their past 15 European matches at Camp Nou against English clubs. Their last defeat in that sequence came against Liverpool almost 20 years ago.

Villa are one of five teams to have collected the maximum nine points in the Champions League. They have scored 12 goals, level for the second-best total behind PSG’s 14, and their goal difference of plus nine is also joint-best with the two-time winners.

A 2-1 victory over Manchester City, three days after beating Viking, enhanced Emery’s reputation, but Villa travel to Barcelona after two matches without a win. They lost 3-0 at Bournemouth in the League Cup before drawing 1-1 at home to Fulham in the Premier League.

Villa have won only one of their four previous meetings with Barcelona. Their last competitive encounter was the 1983 UEFA Super Cup final, which Villa won 3-1 on aggregate across the two legs.

Dani Olmo is expected to miss out after suffering an adductor injury against PSG, with the Spain midfielder likely to be unavailable until after the next international break. Barcelona are also without Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Roony Bardghji, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde, although there were no new injuries against Alaves.

Lamine Yamal scored twice and provided an assist on Saturday. A goal on Tuesday would take him beyond Kylian Mbappe’s record of 13 Champions League goals for a player aged under 20.

Aston Villa’s absentees remain Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Nicolas Jackson overcame fitness concerns to start and score against Fulham, taking his tally to eight goals in 12 games for Villa. Leon Goretzka made his first Premier League start in that match, but Joao Gomes could replace him if Emery chooses caution.

Predicted teams

Barcelona: J. Garcia; Cancelo, Martin, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Lopez, Gordon; Raphinha.

Aston Villa: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Manzambi, Buendia; Jackson.

Match tips: Barcelona to win and both teams to score (1.81); Lamine Yamal to record two or more decisive contributions (2.60); Raphinha to score and Barcelona to win (1.75).

Barcelona’s Champions League form is VVD, and their overall form is VVVDDV. Aston Villa’s corresponding records are VVV and VVVVDN. With the two sides having scored 23 Champions League goals between them, another open contest is expected, although Villa have conceded at least twice in three of their past five away matches.