• Competition: UEFA Champions League
• Date: Tuesday, 17th, September 2024
• Kickoff: 17:45 UK / 18:45 CEST
• Venue: Wankdorf Stadium (Bern)

Aston Villa will aim to celebrate their long-awaited return to the Champions League with style as they travel to Wankdorf Stadium to face BSC Young Boys in their group stage opener on Tuesday.

The Swiss champions fully deservedly earned their place in the expanded UEFA's elite club competition for the second year running by shocking Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray with a 4-2 triumph over both legs. By putting on such a bold and impressive performance against a team worth four times as much, BSC Young Boys have made it known to their league stage opponents that they won’t be pushovers and will battle fiercely for every point.

Their first European challenge on their way will be against an Aston Villa side that is making a long-awaited return to UEFA’s most prestigious club competition after more than forty years, having enjoyed a stellar domestic campaign last season where they secured a fourth-place finish. The last time the Birmingham Lions graced this stage in 1981-82, then known as the European Champion Club's Cup, they clinched the title by defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final, and intriguingly, their matchday two task in the Champions League will see them face the German giants again.

Young Boys vs Aston Villa Betting Tips: ASTON VILLA TO WIN

With all due respect to the Swiss champions, they are the weakest opponent out of the eight standing in Aston Villa’s path to the knockout stages, so we hope Emery's squad will grasp the seriousness of the situation and successfully navigate their first European test. After causing a stir against Galatasaray, BSC Young Boys' domestic struggles continue as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lausanne, leaving them stranded at the bottom of the table as the only Swiss top-flight side not to taste victory after six rounds (D3 L3). 

The Bern-based club are facing an unusual dry spell on the domestic front, and the lack of defensive solidity is adding to the concerns, as coach Patrick Rahmen has seen his side concede at least two goals in three of their first four home fixtures. The former European champion intends to celebrate its four-decade return to the top club scene with style, and their early Premier League outings are sending positive signals, as they have defeated both West Ham and Leicester with identical 2-1 scorelines. The Young Boys will undoubtedly battle fiercely to challenge the Premier League opponents, but we are optimistic that Unai Emery’s squad can transfer their impressive form from opening away matches to make a strong start to the Champions League campaign.