Leon Goretzka playing for Aston Villa and Unai Emery looking annoyed
Leon Goretzka playing for Aston Villa and Unai Emery looking annoyed
The time is nearly here, the Villans are nearly ready for an encounter at Camp Nou.
It is a fixture that travelling fans have been waiting for ever since it was drawn in August.
Playing a competitive fixture against the Catalan giant is possible for some, not for others, and will certainly make for an interesting evening.
Unai Emery's side come into the clash off the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw against Fulham on Saturday.
Barcelona now lie in wait as we assess how Villa could line up in a return to Champions League action.
Should Leon Goretzka be dropped vs Barcelona?
There are decisions to be made when travelling to face one of the best sides in the world.
That is brutally clear in the backline with the prospect of facing Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
Emery needs everyone to be at their best, Zion Suzuki included.
The Japan international is likely to start despite his own goal against Fulham, although that was a blotch on a stellar showing consisting of four saves.
He could be joined by a familiar back four with Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof and Matty Cash all potentially ready to start again.
They all combined for 21 defensive actions at Villa Park, but will need to step up in Catalunya.
A first change could come in alongside Boubacar Kamara as he may get the nod from the start.
Leon Goretzka could face the axe after his first Premier League start consisted of a zero per cent dribble success rate and just three wins from seven duels.
Alysson could drop to Aston Villa bench
If the German is to drop out, he could be joined by Alysson.
The Brazilian created one chance and completed a dribble against Fulham, but Emery could make a change.
Bringing in a trusted lieutenant in Emi Buendia could be wise against elite opposition.
From there, a familiar three could form the rest of the forward line in the shape of John McGinn, Johan Manzambi and Nicolas Jackson.
The latter scored his fifth Premier League goal of the campaign against Fulham and could add to his European tally on Tuesday.
He already has three in the Champions League and Villa will be needing him to be at his best once more if they are to get anything from Camp Nou.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Barcelona: Suzuki, Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Gomes, Kamara, Manzambi, McGinn, Buendia, Jackson
Raphael Dias Belloli
Matty Cash
Unai Emery
Nicolas Jackson
Pau Francisco Torres
Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha dos Santos
Victor Jorgen Nilsson Lindelof
Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana
John McGinn
Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa Football Club
Fulham Football Club
Ian Maatsen
Futbol Club Barcelona
Emiliano Buendia Stati
Leon Christoph Goretzka
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