Aston Villa

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez's reaction save during their 0-0 draw against Juventus was "fantastic" according to former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy.

Martinez produced a superb save when he palmed away Francisco Conceicao's shot at the near post. Replays showed it had been centimetres from fully crossing the line.

Martinez's save helped Villa keep a clean sheet, leaving them ninth in the Champions League table, one place behind the automatic qualifying positions.

Aston Villa fans would have left Villa Park with a "sense of injustice" after the late decision to rule out Morgan Rogers' strike, says The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell.

After a tight game against Italian giants Juventus, the forward thought he had won the game for Unai Emery's side when he tucked home in added time.

Celebrations were short-lived as the late winner was ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio.

"That [ruled out goal] was the big talking point of the game," Tanswell told BBC Radio 5 Live. "Villa were better than they have been in this run of bad results. They probably didn't deserve to win but if you have a refereeing decision like that at the end, the supporters will be walking out with a sense of injustice.

"On first showing you think that is probably a free-kick because goalkeepers are very protected, but if you look at the replay it is the most gentle of nudges from Diego Carlos and the keeper does make a real hash of it.

"I think VAR could have intervened but it would have been a brave decision to go against the referee's call. This is a sign of the times. Goalkeepers come out to claim crosses and if they drop it and fall to the ground, most of the time they are going to get a free-kick."

Listen to more on Football Daily on BBC Sounds - and watch the incident below

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Champions League game between Aston Villa and Juventus.

Here are some of your comments:

Damien: We were far better than we have been recently, but we are still lacking energy at the top of the pitch. Morgan Rogers looks shattered and Ollie Watkins struggled to get any joy with the limited service he had. Leon Bailey looked sharper, but we still need more creativity. Overall, it was a good result but I'm obviously disappointed that the goal was ruled out at the end.

Ian: Strong performance against a very good, efficient and streetwise Juve side. We did lack cutting edge in the final third but we were much better defensively. I think Unai Emery needs to strengthen in the January window, we need more firepower and wide men. Also I think Rogers needs a rest - he seems to be lacking energy in the last few games.

Robbie: Outclassing Juventus is nothing to be scoffed at, and almost beating them is unbelievable. Obviously all of the chat will be about the referee, but almost everyone in a Villa shirt had a good game. The resurgence of Bailey is so good to see as well. He just needs a goal now to give him more confidence.

Prit: Awful referee - three Villa bookings for next to nothing and bottling a clear Villa goal at the end. That being said, Villa are miles off it at the moment and too many players are playing with a lack of confidence. Hopefully, Unai Emery can sort out the lethargy because five points dropped out of six is worrying.

Chay: I have this crazy theory that every time Diego Carlos makes an appearance, Villa never win and this result fuels my theory. Even though the foul was very soft to give, it was Carlos who sadly made it. In the next game, we have to bench Carlos and not use him as a substitute - then we might win!

Aston Villa remain interested in Besiktas and Turkey striker Semih Kilicsoy, but they will have to battle PSG for the 19-year-old's signature in January. (Star - in Turkish), external

Meanwhile, Villa are also interested in Mainz's 28-year-old midfielder Nadiem Amiri. (Bild - in German), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa failed to score in a European home game for the first time since a 1-0 Uefa Cup defeat against RC Deportivo on 3 November 1993.

They had scored in all 26 European home games since.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins speaking to TNT Sports on the disallowed goal: "I think it was soft. Maybe in the Premier League, it's a goal. But in Europe, the goalkeepers are protected a lot. It's one of them.

"I thought we scored. But to be fair, this game had a 0-0 written all over it."

On the refereeing: "Obviously, I have to be careful talking about the referee, but it's different in this competition. We are used to it now. Sometimes it goes against you and sometimes it goes in your favour."

On the result: "It's a positive result. The fans want to see a lot of goals and we do ourselves too, but the most important thing was that we didn't lose tonight.

"Juventus are a massive team and they played well. We kept them out and now we move onto the weekend."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Aston Villa Gary Cahill speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think Villa will be fine with the point at home. Looking at their campaign so far, it has been three wins, that bizarre loss at Club Brugge with the freak goal, and the draw.

"They are ninth at the moment, just in the play-offs, so the campaign has been successful up to now."

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "I am very happy because we won a point. We played a very competitive match. We were dominating the match to try to get three points.

"The last action is clear. It's the interpretation of the referee. We know in England, it's 80% not a foul, but in Europe, maybe not. For me it was harsh. In England, I know it's not a foul usually, because it was a very soft contact. But in Europe, it could be foul.

"I think the referee, in the beginning, he was giving it as goal. We have to accept his decision."

On the point earned: "We played a serious match. We played trying to avoid the mistakes we made from the last matches. We were playing better and I think we more or less deserved to win the match than them."

On Juventus' performance: "We analysed their play, they are building a team and are in the process. They are very competitive and very difficult to beat. They've only lost one match.

"But we wanted to play too. We were dominating them. We were getting into their box better and we had chances to score. They had the chance in the second half with that Emiliano Martinez save. I think it was very tight match for both teams. But I'm happy with the overall result. Three wins, one draw and one defeat is very good. We still have the possibility to get into the top eight."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance, external

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Nine matches make up Wednesday's Champions League schedule, with Aston Villa and Liverpool both in action.

• Red Star Belgrade v Stuttgart (17:45)

• Sturm Graz v Girona (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Juventus

• Bologna v Lille

• Celtic v Club Brugge

• Dinamo Zagreb v Borussia Dortmund

• Liverpool v Real Madrid - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Monaco v Benfica

• PSV v Shakhtar Donetsk

All kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In the demanding environment of managing a club like Aston Villa, perhaps it helps to compartmentalise things.

Villa are without a win in six games, across three different competitions, but at yesterday’s news conference, Unai Emery did not really engage with a question about whether there is a consistent thread through those games to explain the disappointing results – the first notable hiccup since he took charge of Villa two years ago.

"We are focusing on each competition because it is different, really different," he smiled. "We are very happy in the Champions League!"

Well, fair enough.

Villa are indeed happy in the Champions League. Emery has set out their objective – "to be in the next round" – and with nine points banked even before their stumble in Bruges, you need some advanced mathematical skills and a lively imagination to find a situation where Villa do not progress. (The folks at Opta seem to possess both of those things and their computer forecast has Villa qualifying - at least in the top 24 - more than 98% of the time.)

Yet there is no denying Villa are a little out of tune. Goals were pouring in at such a rate in the early weeks of the season that defensive mistakes were masked. That is fine while it lasts – who does not feel exhilarated when their team fights back to win 3-2? – but when Villa have been blunted by well-organised opponents, their own weakness has been exposed. The only clean sheet Villa have kept this season in the Premier League was against a toothless Manchester United.

If Emery has identified a structural reason for this pattern, he has quite reasonably declined to say much about it. It seems logical that such a problem would be harder to fix in season when there is so little time available to work with the players. They must be in an almost constant cycle of build-up and recovery from games.

But Emery thinks differently. "We want to play a lot of matches!" he said when asked at the news conference. "Hopefully we will play [in the Champions League] until the last month in the season."

Of course, he will be examining all the tactics minutely with the players. But there is something romantic about Emery’s public enthusiasm.

Lean into the challenge. Accelerate through the skid. Dream big dreams.

It has worked before.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Juventus on BBC Radio WM on Wednesday with coverage starting at 18:00 GMT

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa have won their opening two home Champions League matches, with only Tottenham in 2010 and Leicester City in 2016 the only English sides to win their first three.

Unai Emery's side have also kept two clean sheets so far at Villa Park, with AC Milan in 1992-93 the only team to win their first three home games without conceding.

Image source, PA Media

Pau Torres believes Aston Villa can continue their 100% home record in the Champions League by beating Juventus, despite conceding that the Italian giants are probably favourites for their match at Villa Park on Wednesday.

Juventus are only sixth in Serie A but are yet to lose in the league this season, winning six and drawing seven of their first 13 games.

Villa have won three of their first four Champions League matches, including home victories against Bayern Munich and Bologna.

Defender Torres said: "We started really well [in the Champions League], of course we lost a good opportunity against Club Brugge, but here at home we are feeling comfortable.

"We know that like Bayern Munich, Juventus as well are favourites on Wednesday. But we know that if we are at our highest level and focused 100%, we can beat them, so we'll be trying to get that win."

Villa are making their first appearance in the premier European club competition for more than 40 years and Torres added: "It's special for us and the supporters. They've been waiting many, many years to be in this competition again.

"We started really well and have been giving them happy nights at Villa Park. We want to enjoy it with them."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Juventus (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara are expected to be part of the squad, but Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey will not feature.

• Emery said he likes the new Champions League format: "A lot of teams have more time to correct mistakes, playing eight matches. Some teams have done well as a surprise in the top positions, some teams have not been consistent at the moment, but usually the better teams are going to be there [qualifying for the next phase]."

• Asked to give a message to home supporters before Wednesday's match, Emery said: "Enjoy it. We want to enjoy competing and we want to enjoy winning. We are here in the Champions League trying to be consistent in this competition. Hopefully we can play a lot of years in the Champions League."

• Villa have conceded only one goal in four Champions League outings, but have not kept a clean sheet in a six-game winless run in all competitions. Emery said: "We are working on it. We must be stronger defensively in everything, starting with the ball and trying to dominate matches. But I have confidence because the players have showed the capacity to respond and react quickly."

• On Juventus manager Thiago Motta, who played under Emery at Paris St-Germain: "He was very competitive, very intelligent, he was a top player, physically and mentally strong. As a coach he has started being successful and his progression has been fantastic."

• Emery added: "He is in the process of building the team, they are competitive and are playing very good football - of course, not yet with all of the ideas he wants to set there - but like at Bologna, he is doing a good job."

Follow all of Tuesday's football news

David Michael
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

In the season Aston Villa won the European Cup in 1982, they finished a modest 11th in the table, a surprising drop-off after clinching the league title the year before.

This season, Villa started brightly, managing the dual demands of Champions League and Premier League football with apparent ease. They topped the Champions League table after three matches and consistently occupied a spot in the Premier League's top four. Towards the end of October, they were unbeaten in 11 games.

However, the momentum has since stalled. Villa are now winless in six games and, with Juventus and Chelsea on the horizon this week, the challenges are only mounting.

The team's struggles, though, are not solely a product of recent weeks or Europe's physical toll. Villa have enjoyed a relatively injury-free campaign so far and have been able to rotate their squad effectively.

The early-season results may have papered over cracks. Defensive vulnerabilities and unconvincing performances have lingered beneath the surface, resulting in a concerning dip in home form.

Villa Park, once an unassailable fortress with a 15-game winning streak through 2023, has seemingly lost its aura. The team has won just six of their past 17 home matches, with their 2024 home record ranking only 13th in the league.

Villa's away form has propped them up in 2024 (the fifth best in the division), ultimately helping them to get across the line in qualifying for this season's Champions League.

In 1982, the European Cup diverted players' focus from their league duties. This time round, it seems Villa are encountering the same issues at Villa Park that Martin O'Neill's team more recently experienced, where teams blunted both Villa's home record and ambition, with their defensive low blocks.

Unai Emery will be determined to ensure that Villa's inconsistency at home does not become the ceiling for his ambitions this campaign.

With the stakes higher than ever, solving the Villa Park conundrum could define their season.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Image source, Getty Images

An Aston Villa-related question was put to BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Matt asked: What's going wrong with Villa at the moment? Can't keep a clean sheet and haven't won a Premier League game in ages.

Phil answered: Hi, Matt. Villa are definitely going through a lull. They did salvage a draw against Crystal Palace but are now winless in their last six games across all competitions.

I have no doubt Unai Emery will find a solution as he is such a top-class coach, but perhaps Villa are suffering, as Newcastle United did when they finished in the top four, from the extra pressure and games involved with qualifying for the Champions League, especially under the new format.

Palace certainly exploited Villa’s high line, but that is how Emery plays. I still have high hopes for Villa this season.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, which finished in a 2-2 draw.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Mark: Too slow to distribute from the back and the midfield was non-existent in the first half. No idea why Tielemens gets the nod for penalties ahead of Watkins, McGinn or Bailey. Barely deserved a point against a side in a relegation battle. We have to do so much better.

Jason: The players need a kick up the backside. Too slow, not physical enough, too many changes, too much daydreaming in the middle of the pitch. Palace took advantage of our apathy and we struggled again. Not a game I want to watch back.

Dean: Can't fault the players' efforts, but so many are way below last season's levels, especially in the attacking third. Half a team not available so very glad to get the international games out the way. Beat Juventus, then aim to win our next two home games and we aren't too badly off. Kamara for me is our Rodri, so think we coped better than them.

Davo: Fair result after Palace snatching two breakaway goals. We still look vulnerable at the back but could have easily scored 2-3 more goals. Very disappointing penalty - I can't understand why Ollie didn't take it. We controlled the majority of the match, but need to find a spark to win games. Great game of football for the neutral fan.

Palace fans

Eren: Much better from Palace. Looks like it's all starting to gel. A few more of those performances and I'm sure we will move up the table.

Andy: A great display from the boys. Only positives to be taken from this performance. A point away at Villa and no injuries means that we can take confidence into our next game against Newcastle.

Sam: Palace played well to punch a bit above our weight and collect a point from Villa Park. Ismaila Sarr had an excellent game but Justin Devenny stole the show with a goal on only his second league start! Congrats to the teenager!

Banger: Looks like the boys put in a good shift with the likes of Eze and Wharton missing, but inconsistency with VAR could have cost Palace again. Comments from pundits and former referees on Sky say there are still issues with the people making VAR decisions. Should they be former players?

Aston Villa, AC Milan and Juventus will battle it out with Arsenal for 19-year-old Real Madrid forward Arda Guler, with the Spanish club now understood to be open to letting the Turkey international leave on loan. (Caughtoffside), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

• Manchester City 0-4 Tottenham