Aston Villa's European adventure begins: Champions League fixtures confirmed

Claret and blue hearts are racing as Aston Villa gears up for its UEFA Champions League comeback after a 42-year hiatus. The club's fixture list is now set, promising a thrilling European adventure for the Villans and their supporters.

Villa's continental quest kicks off on 17 September with an away clash against Swiss side Young Boys. This opener will be crucial in setting the pace for their campaign in the revamped league phase format. The real fireworks, however, are expected on 2 October when Villa Park hosts Bayern Munich, rekindling memories of their historic 1982 European Cup victory.

A star-studded schedule

The Villans' Champions League calendar is brimming with high-profile encounters. Following the Bayern showdown, Villa welcomes Italian outfit Bologna to their home turf on 22 October. A trip to Belgium awaits on 6 November for a face-off with Club Brugge.

27 November marks a red-letter day as Italian powerhouse Juventus visits Villa Park. This clash against one of Europe's most decorated clubs will be a true litmus test for Villa's ambitions. The team then jets off to Germany on 10 December to battle RB Leipzig, followed by an away game in Monaco on 21 January. The league phase wraps up with a home fixture against Scottish titans Celtic on 29 January.

Young Boys (A) - Tuesday, September 17 (5.45pm).

Bayern Munich (H) - Wednesday, October 2 (8pm).

Bologna (H) - Tuesday, October 22 (8pm).

Club Brugge (A) - Wednesday, November 6 (5.45pm).

Juventus (H) - Wednesday, November 27 (8pm).

RB Leipzig (A) - Tuesday, December 10 (8pm).

Monaco (A) - Tuesday, January 21 (5.45pm).

Celtic (H) - Wednesday, January 29 (8pm).

Emery's European expertise

At the helm of Aston Villa's Champions League campaign is Unai Emery, a manager with a stellar record in European competitions. While emphasising the Premier League as the club's primary focus, Emery is eager to guide Villa through the unique experiences that the Champions League offers.

Emery's European credentials are impressive. He steered Sevilla to three consecutive Europa League titles and led Villarreal to a Champions League semi-final in 2022. His wealth of experience and strategic prowess will be invaluable as Villa competes against Europe's finest.

The path forward

Under the new Champions League structure, Aston Villa aims to finish in the top 24 of the league phase to advance to the knockout stages. The top eight teams will secure direct entry to the round of 16, while those ranked ninth to 24th will compete in play-offs for the remaining spots.

The knockout round play-offs are slated for 11/12 and 18/19 February 2025, with the round of 16 following in March. April will see the quarter-finals and semi-finals, all building up to the grand finale on 31 May 2025.

With Emery's guidance and a talented squad, the Villans are poised to leave their mark on the continental stage. The road ahead is challenging, but it also holds the promise of unforgettable moments and the chance to relive the magic of their 1982 triumph.

The entire Villa faithful is holding its breath, hoping for a successful campaign that will etch new chapters in the club's storied history.