Aston Villa faces a critical Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Tuesday, as manager Unai Emery aims to guide his side into the knockout stages for the first time. Despite recent setbacks, including a draw against Juventus and a loss to Club Brugge, Villa remains within striking distance of the automatic qualification places.
Emery emphasized the importance of the encounter, acknowledging Leipzig’s challenging campaign, with the German side yet to secure a single point. “Tomorrow is day six, and it’s very important because we can feel we’re close to the next round,” Emery said. “It’s a key match for them too, and I like these moments to test our players against experienced competition.”
The Villans approach the game on the back of consecutive domestic victories, including a 1-0 win over Southampton powered by Jhon Duran. The Colombian striker’s recent performances have introduced tactical shifts in Villa’s approach, with Ollie Watkins finding himself benched for the first time this season.
Emery praised both strikers, describing Duran’s potential as “big” and Watkins’ consistency as vital. “The challenge is to balance the team while playing with both strikers,” Emery noted, hinting at a possible dual-front approach in future games.
Victory in Leipzig would significantly bolster Villa’s chances of progressing, marking a milestone in their European campaign under Emery’s leadership.
