Aston Villa vs Juventus LIVE: Champions League result and final score after late controversy
Aston Villa could take a big step towards a top-eight finish if they can pull off another memorable European result at Villa Park
Aston Villa face Juventus in the Champions League hoping to enjoy another memorable night on the club’s return to Europe despite their recent form.
Unai Emery’s made a flying start to their Champions League campaign with wins over Young Boys, Bologna and a spectacular 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich at Villa Park. In Italian giants Juventus, Villa will be hoping to claim another scalp against a famous European name.
But first Villa must end a six-game winless run in all competitions, which includes the 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge in the Champions League last time out. Emery said Juventus, who are sixth in Serie A under Thiago Motta, were favourites ahead of the game.
“To watch them at Villa Park in a match we have tomorrow is fantastic. And we want to compete,” he said. “Juventus is the favourite, they have more experiences, they are a very good team, they have very good players and they are the favourite to be in the top eight.”
Follow live updates from Aston Villa vs Juventus in the Champions League, below
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
50 mins: Villa drive into the Juventus half, with McGinn finding Bailey on the right. The ball moves centrally to Tielemans, who is brought down on the edge of the area.
Another dangerous position for a Villa free-kick - but after a minute of arguing about who takes it, Bailey’s effort balloons high and wide.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
49 mins: Conceição brilliantly skips past Digne and drives towards the byline. He pokes one towards the penalty spot but Pau Torres gets the block in.
Juventus players call for handball but there’s nothing in it.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
47 mins: Perfectly weighted ball from McGinn down the left for Digne to wrap his foot round. The Frenchman puts a good cross in but it’s handled well by Di Gregorio.
BACK UNDERWAY! Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
46 mins: Here we go again! John McGinn gets things started in the second half.
Villa looking to get going quickly and win a corner in 40 seconds.
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
We might still be waiting for a goal, but it’s safe to say the crowd has not let us down.
HALF-TIME! Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
We go into the break goalless at Villa Park.
After a cagey start, the contest began to open up more and more, bringing about chances at both ends towards the tail-end of the half.
Lucas Digne came closest to breaking the deadlock in first-half injury time, with his near-perfect free-kick coming off the crossbar.
One goal could be all it takes to decide a winner here.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
45+1 mins: OFF THE BAR! Almost perfection from Lucas Digne, whose free-kick beats the wall but comes off the top bar.
That’ll be the last action of the half, and it’s the closest we’ve come to seeing the deadlock broken.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
45 mins: Kalulu hacks down Watkins on the edge of the box and is awarded a yellow card for his efforts - sparking the most ironic cheer of the night.
This is inviting for Lucas Digne.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
42 mins: Conceição cuts into the box and drills one towards near the corner - Martinez gets down well to save.
That right-hand side has been a key source of threat for Juventus.
Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus
41 mins: McGinn waits for the contact from Kalulu to win a free-kick in a dangerous position down the left.
The resulting delivery causes pinball in the box with Juve struggling to clear, but Villa fail to fire off that killer shot towards goal and the visitors survive.
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