RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa - Champions League: TV channel, prediction, team news and lineups
By Ben Gray
The last time Aston Villa travel to East Germany they defeated Dynamo Berlin 2-1 back in 1981, en route to European glory, so as they venture to Saxony, will they return victorious once again?
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Preview
Can Aston Villa get back on track in the Champions League? Competing in UEFA's top-tier tournament for the first time in over four decades, the Claret and Blue Army made a dream start to the league phase, winning each of their first three fixtures, all without conceding, most-notably defeating Bayern Munich at Villa Park. However, Unai Emery's team have not won either of their last two, failing to score in both, bizarrely beaten 1-0 by Club Brugge at Jan Breydelstadion, before Morgan Rogers was controversially denied a last-gasp winner against Juventus a fortnight ago, that one ending goalless.
Across all competitions, the Villans were winless in eight a week ago, but have rectified this with back-to-back Premier League home wins, first demolishing Brentford before, on Saturday, Jhon Durán's strike was enough to down bottom-of-the-table Southampton. In this competition, Villa currently sit ninth so, with a trip to Monaco and a home game against Celtic remaining on their schedule, a victory in Eastern Germany would really enhance their top eight prospects.
In stark contrast, RB Leipzig are one of only three sides, along-with ŠK Slovan Bratislava and BSC Young Boys, yet to collect a single point in the league phase. Die Roten Bullen have, to date, been beaten by Juventus and Liverpool at Red Bull Arena, leading 2-1 against ten-men when the Italian giants visited, but still throwing that away.
Meantime, on the road, they also took the lead against Atlético Madrid and at Celtic Park, but were once again defeated, as well as, last time out, a lifeless 1-0 reverse against Internazionale at San Siro, in which Castello Lukeba scored an own goal.
Now, pressure continues to mount on Marco Rose due to their poor Bundesliga form, failing to win any of their four league games in November, ending this barren run on Saturday with a 2-0 victory at Holstein Kiel; Benjamin Šeško and André Silva the scorers.
The DFB-Pokal is currently the only competition keeping Leipzig's season alive, smashing Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 last mid-week to reach the quarter-finals, but with a trip to Bayern Munich their final Bundesliga fixture prior to the winterpause, most are forecasting that Rose's spell in charge will come to an end in time for Christmas.
Back in the Champions League, Leipzig still have to take on Sporting (H) and Sturm Graz (A) but, should they taste defeat yet again here, that would be immaterial as their hopes of reaching the knockout phase would be all but over.
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record
These two clubs have never previously met.
RB Leipzig Team News
Die Roten Bullen are without some key players, including Xavi Simons, who suffered a long-term ankle injury against Liverpool, which have proved to be a massive blow. Elsewhere, David Raum, El Chadaille Bitshiabu, Eljif Elmas, Assan Ouédraogo and Yussuf Yurary Poulsen are also sidelined, while Castello Lukeba is suspended, having collected his third yellow card of the league phase at San Siro. Marco Rose has reverted to the classic Red Bull 4-2-2-2 formation in recent weeks, albeit he did deploy his favoured back three in the DFB-Pokal last Wednesday, so it'll be interesting to see what he goes for here, albeit the systems are fluid. Christoph Baumgartner, scorer in Glasgow on matchday 4, would be suspended for the clash with Sporting if cautioned.
RB Leipzig predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: (3-5-2): Gulácsi; Seiwald, Orbán, Geertruida; Henrichs, Haidara, Vermeeren, Baumgartner, Nusa; Openda, Šeško.
RB Leipzig Player to Watch vs Aston Villa
In terms of attacking threat, Leipzig are all about their front two. Loïs Openda has eight goals to his name this season, but it is his strike-partner Benjamin Šeško who gets all the headlines, seeking to add to his tally of nine for the campaign, three of which have come in the Champions League.
Aston Villa Team News
In a potential major boost, Amadou Onana was back on the bench at the weekend, having not featured since 9 November due to injury, so will he be fit enough to play some part in Saxony? Full-backs Matty Cash and Lucas Digne were both rested against Southampton but will be restored, while Ollie Watkins was left out of a Premier League starting XI for the first time this season, but will return to lead the line, with weekend match-winner Jhon Durán making way. Jacob Ramsey remains sidelined, while both Diego Carlos and the aforementioned Durán would miss next month's trip to Monaco if cautioned.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs RB Leipzig: (4-2-2-2): Martínez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Bailey; Rogers, Watkins.
Aston Villa Player to Watch vs RB Leipzig
Leon Bailey scored twice against RB Leipzig during his time in the Bundesliga, netting at Red Bull Arena in March 2020, so can he repeat the trick almost five-years later?
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Prediction
We've found this scoreline extremly difficult to forecasting. RB Leipzig's Champions League campaign has been frankly catastrophic, albeit they've been competitive in every game, so this is still a tough task for Villa, albeit we're backing the Claret and Blue Army to depart with a point: RB Leipzig 1-1 Aston Villa.
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa FAQs - Champions League
How to watch RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Champions League game on TV channel?
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Champions League game will be available on the following TV channels:
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Champions League game on live streaming?
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Champions League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video
- USA: Paramount+ & ViX.
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa in the Champions League?
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa takes place on Tuesday 10 December 2024, with kick off at 20:00 (GMT), 15:00 (EDT) & 12:00 (PST).
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