The Champions League season kicks off with Aston Villa facing Club Brugge on Tuesday, marking a significant moment for both teams. This year's tournament features a mix of experienced managers and newcomers, with 14 out of 36 clubs led by coaches in their first year. In contrast, the Premier League has seen a notable turnover, with 11 of 20 managers appointed in 2026.

Aston Villa's Champions League fixtures include:

• Club Brugge (A)
• Fenerbahce (H)
• Viking FK (H)
• Barcelona (A)
• Galatasaray (A)
• PSG (H)
• Borussia Dortmund (H)
• Slavia Prague (A)

Unai Emery, Villa’s manager, remains calm amid pressure, having experienced a similar slow start last season, where the team was scoreless for the first 157 minutes in the league. Despite a goalless draw against Hull last Saturday, the team is looking to build on their prior success in the Champions League.

In terms of team news, Joao Gomes returns from suspension, replacing Ross Barkley in the midfield, while Pau Torres and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are set to start, making way for George Hemmings to debut in the Champions League.

Club Brugge will field a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Aston Villa aims to make a statement after a rocky start to their Premier League campaign. The match kickoff is set for 5:45 PM CEST, with both teams looking to secure crucial points early in the tournament.