According to Barcelona's official website, the wait is almost over. After 55 days without a Champions League match, European competition returns to Camp Nou this Tuesday. At 21:00 CET on Tuesday, November 3, Barcelona will host Aston Villa in Matchday 4 of the league phase. It promises to be an exciting clash between two teams currently in the top eight.
Flick's team collected 6 points from their first three Champions League matches, beating Feyenoord 5-1 and Galatasaray 4-1 before suffering their first European defeat away to defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. That loss in the French capital leaves Barcelona temporarily in 8th place in the standings, but they remain on track for direct qualification to the Round of 16.
Back at home after a big league win over Deportivo Alavés, Barca hope to return to winning ways in Europe against one of the most in-form teams in the Champions League.
In-form Villa
Aston Villa have made a perfect start to their Champions League campaign, winning all three matches to collect 9 points. They sit 2nd in the standings, behind only Paris Saint-Germain on goal difference. Under the experienced Emery, the Birmingham club has looked very threatening in European competition, even though their domestic form has been less impressive.
Villa are currently 10th in the Premier League with 12 points, but their results in Europe suggest that Barca will face a tough challenge on Tuesday night.
One of the visitors' main attacking threats is Nicolas Jackson, who joined Aston Villa this summer after previously playing for Villarreal in LaLiga. The striker has scored 8 goals in all competitions, including 3 in the Champions League, making him Villa's top scorer.
Barkley has also scored 3 goals in European competition, and Buendía has added 2 more. In defense, former Villarreal defender Pau Torres and Lindelöf provide experience and stability, and the team is becoming increasingly accustomed to facing top European sides.
Head-to-Head Record
The two clubs last met in an official competition more than 40 years ago. That meeting came in January 1983, when Aston Villa beat Barca 3-1 on aggregate to win the European Super Cup.
The sides also met in the 1977/78 UEFA Cup quarter-finals, when Barca advanced 4-3 on aggregate.
Team News
Flick faces several injury problems before the match. Xavi Espart, Eric Garcia, Olmo, Christensen, Koundé and Roony Bardghji will all be absent, a particular headache for the German coach in defense.
Aston Villa are also missing players. Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri and Wan-Bissaka have not travelled to Barcelona.
Quotes
Flick was confident ahead of the match, insisting that the recent losses to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have not diminished the team's ambition.
Flick said: "We are very confident. We have won 11 of our last 13 matches. We lost two, but we have the ability to win and achieve our goals. Our goal is to win LaLiga and the Champions League."
Flick also praised opposing coach Emery as one of the best coaches in Europe and noted that Villa are well organized in both attack and defense. He was also clear about Barca's immediate goal: "We want to finish in the top eight."
England international Gordon also stressed how difficult the match will be. He knows Aston Villa well from the Premier League and described them as one of the most physically strong teams in the league, praising their competitiveness in tough games.