BBC Radio West Midlands
BBC Radio West Midlands

Villa Park stands ready for a big night of European action ahead of the visit of Bayern Munich.

A reminder of the first and only previous time these clubs have faced one another in this competition is painted proudly on one of the exterior walls of the stadium.

Donny van de Beek has just dragged Girona level against Feyenoord with a close-range finish. It's 2-2 now in Catalonia.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Anfield

Image source, Michael Emons

Some great quotes in the Liverpool programme from captain Virgil van Dijk on what it means to him and the club to be back in the Champions League after a season of Europa League football in 2023-24, losing to Atalanta in the quarter-finals.

"As Liverpool players we are afforded many privileges and playing at Anfield on a Champions League night is right near the top of that list," writes the Dutch defender.

"We missed this competition last season, for sure. The Europa League was good for us and of course we were disappointed we didn't go all the way, but there is just something special about the Champions League.

"It is the competition everyone wants to be playing in and you don't need me to tell you about this club's incredible history in it. Some of the best memories of my career were made on nights such as these, but that only makes me hungrier to create ever more.

"Hopefully, tonight, we can write another special European story."

Liverpool

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister says it is too early in the season to say they are pushing for the Premier League title but they "will try to win every game" to be in contention for a trophy.

"We have an amazing team and a good coach," said the Argentina international. "When you play for Liverpool you have to be up there. We know it's quite early and [there is] a lot of time to see if we are in the title race.

"I could say a lot of things but we have to show it. We will try to do out best to win every game. We will see by January or February if we will be in the competition to win a trophy."

On Luis Diaz, who has scored five goals in six games this term, Mac Allister added: "He knows how important the numbers are for strikers and wingers. I am happy he is getting goals and assists.

"He has been amazing for us but I think he can still improve. Hopefully he can continue to show effective he is. Consistency is key."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has been one of the stories of the season so far with four goals from the bench in the Premier League.

But how much do people know about his background?

BBC Sport spoke to youth coach Wilberth Perea Mena, who first met Duran as a 14-year-old at Envigado, and Chicago Fire technical director Sebastian Pelzer to find out more about Duran.

Read all about Duran's career and life so far here.

Mike Taylor
BBC WM commentator at Villa Park

They just played a first burst of the Champions League anthem inside Villa Park. A fan walking in front of the press box stopped and placed her hand on her heart. ‘That gave me goose-bumps, hearing that,’ she told me.

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Kane has eight goals from his last four games for Bayern Munich. Over the last three games, I think Bayern Munich have scored 20 goals and he’s been key for Bayern since he’s arrived at the club. I think he’s enjoying life in the Bundesliga and he’ll be the one to watch tonight.

Ian Kennedy
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

But first things first, and Slot will want his side to carry on where they left off against AC Milan. Bologna are mid-table in Italy after such a good campaign last season, and no longer have Joshua Zirkzee after his move to Manchester United.

That one blip, the home defeat to Nottingham Forest, will serve as a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. The response to that defeat has been excellent, and a victory against Bologna will help keep the momentum moving in the right direction going into the weekend.

Ian Kennedy
Reporter, BBC Radio Merseyside Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It is a measure of how well Arne Slot has settled in at Anfield that if the Reds beat Bologna tonight, he will be the first Liverpool manager in history to win eight of his first nine matches in charge.

Saturday’s win at Wolves showed they can win when not quite at their very best, an important quality amid such a hectic fixture schedule.

An early kick-off at Crystal Palace on Saturday might be another tough test, but Liverpool will go into the game top of the table and with another away win on their minds. They have so far won every away game they have played this season.

Sportsday

The BBC have been speaking to some fans outside Villa Park for Sportsday.

Steve's son Sam was then asked by the BBC's Nesta McGregor how many times his dad had mentioned the 1982 final which he attended.

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

Image source, Getty Images

The anticipation is wonderful for all the Villa fans and with the way things are going in the Premier League I really think there’s a chance they could win tonight.

The way they play is just so exciting to watch. Then to be successful, not just play good football but being able to get into the top four, top five in the Premier League.

Image source, Reuters

We want to hear your thoughts on tonight's Champions League football.

Can Villa make more history against German giants Bayern Munich? Will Liverpool continue their winning start to the campaign? What are your thoughts on the new format?

Write in via the means listed above and please remember to leave your first name at the end of your message.

You can listen to live commentary and read updates on Champions League Final Score.

Tune in via BBC Red Button or simply click the play icon at the top of this live page.

Image source, BBC Sport

Aston Villa make one change from their 2-2 draw against Ipswich Town in the Premier League at the weekend with Jaden Philogene replacing Leon Bailey to make his first start since returning to the club in the summer.

Aston Villa: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, Philogene, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins.

Subs: Gauci, Zych, Cash, Barkley, Duran, Buendia, Bailey Nedeljkovic, Maatsen, Bogarde, Swinkels, Young.

Image source, BBC Sport

Harry Kane is fit to start as Bayern Munich make two changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

Konrad Laimer and Kingsley Coman replace Raphael Guerreiro and Jamal Musiala.

Bayern Munich XI: Neuer, Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies, Kimmich, Pavlovic, Olise, Gnabry, Coman, Kane.

Subs: Peretz, Ulreich, Goretzka, Sane, Dier, Palhinha, Guerreiro, Muller, Tel, Musiala.

Image source, Getty Images

Vincent Kompany is probably taking on Aston Villa again sooner than he might have expected, after leaving Burnley for Bayern Munich in the summer.

The Belgian lost both Premier League meetings with Villa last season while Clarets manager.

"I think everything Aston Villa do is very clear," Kompany said.

"They're very well organised. You can see what they want to do in every phase of the game. They're compact.

"Everyone knows it's been over 40 years since Aston Villa last played in the European Cup. What they did last season was extraordinary. They've earned it. They're a really organised team with a good atmosphere at home.

"But Bayern are used to these nights. We want to enjoy it, and the players are hopefully up for playing here.

"There's great tradition here. You can see that - you can feel it too. I was in England for a total of 13 years. My wife and children are English. I know the stadium, the team and the coach very well. So, it's important we go into the game full of courage."

Thomas Hitzlsperger
Former Aston Villa midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast

This season, they are doing the same again but tonight will be special with the history, having beaten Bayern [Munich] in 1982. You feel that being in and around the club there is so much excitement, hopefully it continues for a long time.

Image source, Getty Images

Girona thought they had just equalised against Feyenoord, but Donny van de Beek was ruled offside by the VAR. It's still 2-1 in Catalonia.

And Atalanta are 3-0 up against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Anfield

Just the one change from the Liverpool side that won 2-1 at Wolves as Darwin Nunez, who missed that match through illness, returns with Diogo Jota among the substitutes.

Federico Chiesa misses out through injury.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez.

Subs: Kelleher, Jaros, Gomez, Tsimikas, Quansah, Endo, Morton, Jones, Bradley, Gakpo, Jota, Nyoni.

Bologna make four changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Atalanta, with starts for Juan Miranda, Nikola Moro, Kacper Urbanski and Thijs Dallinga, while ex Nottingham Forest midfielder Remo Freuler also plays.

English winger Samuel Iling-Junior, on loan from Aston Villa, is among the Bologna substitutes.

Bologna XI: Skorupski, Miranda, Beukema, Lucumi, Posch, Moro, Freuler, Urbanski, Ndoye, Dallinga, Orsolini.

Subs: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Corazza, Aebischer, Miranda, Holm, Erlic, Casale, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Fabbian, Iling-Junior, Castro.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Gary Shaw's name is added to the Villa squad for tonight's game.

The striker, part of the club's European Cup winning team in 1982, passed away last month after a fall aged 63.

Shaw was a regular in the press room and press box at Villa games and would have been working at the game this evening.

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool go with pretty much a full-strength team. Darwin Nunez gets a start.

Full team news to follow.