2026-2027 Champions League: Aston Villa vs. Fenerbahçe, Probable Lineups

On Wednesday evening at Villa Park in Birmingham, Aston Villa will face Fenerbahçe in a match counting toward the second matchday of the Champions League. The home team is going through a rough patch in the league but defeated Club Brugge in their debut in Europe’s top competition; the visitors have won three of their last four games.

Unai Emery will have to do without several players: George Hemmings, Ian Maatsen, Brian Madjo, André Onana, and Matteo Ruggeri will miss the match due to injury. Former Parma player Zion Suzuki will be in goal, with Wan-Bissaka, Torres, Lindelöf, and Cash in front of him.

In front of the defense will be Kamara and the experienced Barkley, while McGinn, Buendia, and Mbaye will operate in the attacking midfield to support lone striker Nicolas Jackson. The Senegalese center forward, formerly of Bayern Munich, also scored in his debut against Club Brugge.

On the other side, Ismail Kartal is looking for a win after a draw in his Champions League debut against Roma. In the league, his team is on a roll: in their last four games, they’ve recorded three wins and scored thirteen goals while conceding none.

For the match against Aston Villa, Ederson will start in goal, while the defense will feature Brown, Skriniar, Aké, and Semedo, who will replace the injured Mert Muldur. Akturkoglu and Greenwood will man the flanks, with Yuksek—slightly favored over Guendouzi, who isn’t at his best—and Kanté in the middle; up front, Elmaz will partner the inspired Muriqi.

Probable lineups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Suzuki; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Wan-Bissaka; Kamara, Barkley; McGinn, Buendia, Mbaye; Jackson. Coach: Emery
Fenerbahçe (4-4-2): Ederson; Brown, Skriniar, Aké, Semedo; Akturkoglu, Kanté, Yuksek, Greenwood; Muriqi, Elmaz. Coach: Kartal