Champions League Preview – Matchday 1 – Young Boys vs Aston Villa
There’s not long to wait now, folks. Unai Emery is set to lead Villa out for our first elite-level competitive European fixture in 41 years. Aside from occasional flirtations with the UEFA Cup in the 90’s, Europa League in the 00’s and our run to the semis of the Conference League last term, it has been a drought of top-tier European football for far too long. But no more.
As supporters, these are the nights that you follow your team through thin and thinner in order to earn. They make memories of those trips to Burton, Barrow and Bolton (no offence chaps) drift away, replaced instead with lofty dreams of beating or at least competing with the likes of Bayern, Barcelona or Bologna. The hard miles have been done, certainly by us Villa fans.
Whilst having won the European Cup in 1982, this is Villa’s first foray in The Champions League since its formation in 1992. Indeed, it will be a night of firsts, as we face off against Young Boys of Switzerland, a side that we have never previously encountered. It’s nothing new for Emery though. The Spaniard successfully overcame our hosts both home and away in the UCL with Villarreal during the 2021/22 group stages.
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCH PREVIEW
Villa arrive in Bern in excellent shape. Three league wins see us sitting deservedly in fifth, with a solitary loss against Arsenal a case of “what could have been”, rather than Arteta’s side making a decisive claim for the division’s summit. As has been commented, this Villa side is evolving before our eyes, both in terms of footballing quality and it’s ability to go toe-to-toe with the best in the Premier League.
There are a number of positives to take ahead of our visit to the humorously titled Wankdorf Stadium. Ollie Watkins got off the mark, scoring a brace in the weekend victory over Everton. Both he and Ezri Konsa also shook off knocks from the international break to alleviate injury concerns. Leon Bailey, who missed Saturday night’s win, was spotted boarding the flight to Switzerland too. The Jamaican’s availability would be a bonus given that John McGinn was forced to deputise on the right last time out. Finally, Jhon Duran’s eye-catching goalscoring contributions in each of this season’s wins cannot be understated either.
There are inevitable nuances worth being aware of. Our hosts have a synthetic pitch, which whilst unusual from our perspective has been played down by Emery. Man City were comfortable 3-1 winners last season, and Villa opted to train on the surface on Monday to acclimatise. It’s worth noting that our state-of-the-art training facility at Bodymoor Heath has 11 pitches, 2 of which are synthetic.
Emery also made reference to the passing of former Villa striker Gary Shaw in his pre-match press conference, indicating that he wants to win the tie in his memory. That would be a perfect gesture for a player who was pivotal in the club’s successes in the early 80’s in both the league and Europe.
Young Boys it must be said are having a torrid time domestically. There’s no papering over the fact that they currently sit bottom of the Swiss Super League, without a victory in their six opening fixtures. Three consecutive defeats have only been improved by three draws, in what is proving a very poor start to their title defence. They’ve won the league six of the last seven campaigns incidentally.
Young Boys have qualified to the Champions League in four out of the last six seasons, but struggled last term after a group-stage elimination from the UCL and then Europa League at the hands of Sporting Lisbon. As well as struggling in the league, they came very close to be knocked out by third division side Vevey-Sports in the Swiss Cup at the weekend after letting a two goal advantage slip, scraping through with a late winner. Current form aside, European opposition should never be underestimated. Just ask Manchester United, who Young Boys swept aside in 2021.
WATCH OR LISTEN
Sit back, relax – kick off is 17:45pm GMT.
For those not lucky enough to be there in person, UK TV coverage starts at 5pm on TNT Sports / Discovery+ (Subscription required). Talksport will be broadcasting the game on radio.
BSC YOUNG BOYS
BSC Young Boys, often referred to simply as ‘Young Boys’ or ‘YB’, is a professional football club based in Bern, Switzerland. Founded in 1898, the club has a rich history and is one of the most successful teams in Swiss football.
Key Facts:
- Full Name: Berner Sport Club Young Boys
- Stadium: Wankdorf Stadium, with a capacity of around 32,000
- Chairman: Hanspeter Kienberger
- Manager: Patrick Rahmen
- League: Swiss Super League
Achievements:
Young Boys have won the Swiss league championship 17 times and the Swiss Cup 8 times. They are also known for their international success, having reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in the 1958-59 season.
Recent Performance:
In the 2023-24 season, Young Boys finished first in the Swiss Super League, showcasing their strong performance domestically.
Club Colors:
The team’s colors are yellow and black, which are prominently featured in their home kits1.
Notable Moments:
- Early Success: The club quickly found success after its founding, winning its first Swiss championship in 1903.
- European Achievement: Their run to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1958-59 remains one of their most notable international achievements.
Current Squad:
The team has a mix of local and international players, with a squad size of 29 and an average age of 24.2 years. They also have 14 players who are part of their national teams.
Community and Culture:
Young Boys have a passionate fan base and are an integral part of the Bern community. Their matches at Wankdorf Stadium are well-attended, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
In summary, BSC Young Boys is a historic and successful football club in Switzerland, known for its domestic triumphs and notable international performances. Their commitment to excellence continues to make them a formidable force in Swiss football.