Yahoo Sports RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa predicted lineups and team news
RB Leipzig face a must-win encounter with Aston Villa on Tuesday (December 10th) after losing their first five Champions League league phase games.
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa Predicted XIs
RB Leipzig (4-4-2): Gulacsi; Geertruida, Klostermann, Orban, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Haidara, Kampl, Nusa; Sesko, Openda.
Kick-off at the Red Bull Arena is scheduled for 20:00 GMT, with the game set to be shown live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Villans should provide some tough opposition following a string of good displays in Europe this term.
While both sides are firmly locked in chases for top-four places domestically, a huge gulf has opened between them in this competition, with Villa in ninth place on 10 points, while Leipzig are 34th of the 36 teams.
Key encounter for both teams
RB Leipzig’s slow start means they could win each of their final three games and still miss out on the knockout phase. The Bundesliga outfit are one of just three sides without a point, joined at the foot of the table by Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys.
Aston Villa have won three of their first five matches and they were unfortunate not to beat Juventus in their most recent game. A foul by Diego Carlos saw Morgan Rogers’ late strike ruled out, leaving Villa just outside the top eight.
Unai Emery’s side are one of six sides on 10 points, trailing Monaco on goals scored. Getting back into the top eight could be key for the Villans, as it would take them straight through to the last 16, avoiding an extra two-legged knockout round in February.
Villa head to Monaco next before finishing up at home to Celtic, so there’s a clear path to the last 16 for them. They have just ended a frustrating eight-game winless streak with victories over Brentford and Southampton, providing them with a welcome lift before this trip to Leipzig.
The hosts have also won their last two matches, but this clash is a real step up in difficulty. Leipzig’s performances have been poor through their first five games, offering Villa a golden chance to get another three points on the board.
RB Leipzig vs Aston Villa team news
If Leipzig are to get a crucial Champions League victory this week, they’ll need to overcome a significant injury list. The Bundesliga outfit will be without seven players for their crunch clash with Aston Villa, including Dutch star Xavi Simons.
The hosts also have Eljif Elmas, Yussuf Poulsen, Castello Lukeba and Assan Ouedraogo out, along with David Eaum and El Chadaille Bitshiabu. Leipzig can pair Lois Openda and Benjamin Sesko in attack, which could trouble a Villa side who have been struggling for clean sheets.
Emery’s men are missing Jacob Ramsey once again, while Leon Bailey picked up an injury against Southampton on Saturday. With the Jamaican winger ruled out, Ross Barkley could be in line for his first Champions League start of the campaign.
Striker Jhon Duran is likely to drop back to the bench despite scoring in his start against the Saints. Ollie Watkins came on for the final half-hour at the weekend and he has started all but one of Villa’s matches in Europe this term.
