Aston Villa’s rebuilt squad will have the added support of a Champions League winner in their squad for Wednesday’s game with Fenerbahçe, after Unai Emery confirmed German international Leon Goretzka is finally available.
“Leon Goretzka is in the squad for tomorrow,” Emery said in his pre-match press conference. Words that have been a long time coming.
Goretzka, 31, signed from Bayern Munich on a free this summer, but a knee issue delayed his start for Villa. His own message to supporters in September was that his body had “reacted to the increased workload after my time away from the pitch”. But he lifted the Champions League with Bayern in 2020, and that is experience this Villa squad can put to good use.
Champions League Experience
Across spells at Bayern and Schalke, he has made 74 Champions League appearances and scored six goals. Most of his 10 appearances last season came off the bench for Bayern, though, so he will be looking to reclaim a starting role in the competition.
He has played at Villa Park in the competition before: Goretzka came on as an 86th-minute substitute for Bayern when Villa beat them 1-0 in their Champions League home opener two seasons ago. Yes, he also got to experience Jhon Duran’s wonder goal, too.
The group he’s joined has been rebuilt since Villa’s last Champions League run in 2024/25, and Emery has been clear about what he wants Goretzka to bring.
“He is important, Goretzka,” Emery said, when he signed. “He has experience at the high level. He joined us to help us with his experience and with his quality.”
Fenerbahçe’s Seasoned Look
Whether Goretzka is ready to start remains to be seen, but he would be a good addition against a seasoned Fenerbahçe side that boasts the likes of Marco Asensio, Ederson, Mattéo Guendouzi, Nathan Aké, Mason Greenwood, Romelu Lukaku and N’Golo Kanté.
“It is a huge challenge and an exciting moment that we can share in Villa Park,” said Emery of the upcoming clash. “We remind ourselves of 1982, when we won this title, and of how much we enjoyed it two years ago.”
Villa Park will be looking to build on the win at Club Brugge. The reveal of Goretzka will surely be a useful card for Emery to play to help a new look squad on a big European night.
UTV.
Get MOMS in your inbox every week, free. Sharp and informative Villa writing for supporters who can spot the clickbait from the back of the Holte. No spam. Join the astonvilla.wtf newsletter →
Support MOMS for less than a pint at Villa Park. Get ad-free podcasts, bonus shows, a shout out, and a seat in Match Club. Become a member →
Follow MOMS on Twitter/X, Facebook, Threads & Bluesky
Listen to the Podcast on Apple and Spotify
Enjoyed this article or found it useful? Add My Old Man Said as a preferred source on Google to see more of our Aston Villa coverage. Add MOMS as a preferred source →
Leon Goretzka Aston Villa Champions League
Leon Goretzka Aston Villa Champions League
Ian Maatsen Aston Villa Champions League
Aston Villa Without a Left-Back: Full Update on the Situation