As of: October 2nd, 2024 10:51 a.m
The first home game in the Champions League creates huge euphoria and anticipation at Aston Villa. And then it’s against FC Bayern.
When the name FC Bayern Munich is mentioned, it creates magic Aston Villa Everyone still has a smile on their face and a sparkle in their eyes. The team celebrated against the German record champions Birmingham the greatest success in the club’s history.
Because in May 1982 they defeated “The Villans” in the final of the In the European Cup, Bayern narrowly won 1-0 – even though they were playing in the Rotterdam Stadium “De Kuip” were completely inferior. Peter Withe scored the goal of the day.
Villa in the Champions League for the first time
The following year the team competed again as defending champions and failed in the quarter-finals against Juventus Turin. After that, Villa was no longer seen in the highest European Cup competition – until the current season. And that’s where it goes in the Champions League on the second matchday on Wednesday (October 2nd, 2024, 9 p.m., live in the radio report and in the Sportschau ticker) – how could it be otherwise – at home against FC Bayern Munich.
Villa finished fourth in the Champions League last season Premier League qualified. At the start of the premier class there was a 3-0 win at the Young Boys from Berne. The team is currently fifth in the league and missed out on the weekend, finishing 2-2 Ipswich Town with leaders FC Liverpool to catch up.
Bayern expect “special atmosphere”
“Of course it will be a great atmosphere because it is the first home game for them in the Champions League in a long, long time.”said Bayern striker Harry Kane, the long-time figurehead of Tottenham Hotspurbefore returning to the island. He was talking about one “a good team that deserves to play in the Champions League”.
This was also highlighted by coach Vincent Kompany, who is a long-time professional at Manchester City and short-term coach at FC Burnley plenty Premier-League-Expertise hat. “Aston Villa hasn’t played in the Champions League for a long time. This will be special”said the 38-year-old Belgian.
Villa is thriving under Emery
Under Spanish coach Unai Emery, who surprisingly knocked Bayern out of the competition with FC Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League two years ago, Villa is experiencing a new heyday.
“They play very intense football and I think it will be a really exciting football game. It’s going to be really tough.”said Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund. “In Birmingham, the intensity is very high. Football is played very, very actively.”said sports director Max Eberl.
Aston Villas Trainer Unai Emery
Villa with a world champion and with England’s semi-final hero
In goal, Villa will face world champion Emiliano Martínez, who was named the best goalkeeper in the world in 2022 and 2023. In the storm will be in Villa Park In Birmingham, many eyes will be on England’s semi-final hero Ollie Watkins. Also there are central defender Pau Torres, the sixes Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans, as well as the ex-Bundesliga professionals Leon Bailey and Ian Maatsen. “It will be a tough fight”said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, “They’re hard to beat.”
And if a home win actually comes to fruition, then the name FC Bayern Munich will continue to put a smile on Villa fans’ faces and a sparkle in their eyes.
