Unai Emery returns to the scene of Barcelona’s famous Remontada on Tuesday, with Aston Villa hoping their perfect start to the 2026-27 Champions League can survive a major examination at Camp Nou.

Villa have won all three of their matches in the competition, while Barcelona’s unbeaten run ended on matchday three with a 4-2 defeat by holders Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.

That result ended a remarkable opening to the season for the Spanish champions, who had won their first 11 matches in all competitions. Their brief loss of form continued when Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid claimed an unexpected La Liga victory at Camp Nou in the Clasico.

Hansi Flick’s side responded emphatically on Saturday, ending a two-match losing streak by beating Alaves 6-1. The result kept Barcelona two points clear of Atletico de Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Barcelona have scored more than twice in every match this season apart from the 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid last month. However, Alaves’ goal means they have now gone five games without a clean sheet and have conceded in nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions.

The Catalan club have a strong home record against English opposition, remaining unbeaten in their past 15 European matches against Premier League sides. Their last such defeat came against Liverpool almost 20 years ago.

Villa are one of five teams to have taken all nine available points in the Champions League league phase. They have scored 12 goals, the joint-second highest total behind PSG’s 14, while their goal difference of +9 is also level with the two-time winners for the best in the competition.

A 2-1 win against Manchester City, three days after victory over Viking, enhanced Emery’s reputation as one of the leading coaches in world football. Villa now travel to Barcelona without a win in two matches, having lost 3-0 at Bournemouth in the League Cup before drawing 1-1 at home with Fulham in the Premier League.

Villa have won only one of their four previous meetings with Barcelona. Their last competitive encounter was the 1983 UEFA Super Cup final, which Villa won 3-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona’s Dani Olmo is expected to miss out after suffering an adductor injury in the defeat by PSG and should be unavailable until after the next international break. He joins Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Roony Bardghji, Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde on the injury list, although Barcelona reported no new problems against Alaves.

Lamine Yamal scored twice and provided an assist on Saturday. Another goal would see him move clear of Kylian Mbappe as the leading Champions League scorer aged under 20; both currently have 13 goals.

Villa are without Amadou Onana, Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while Nicolas Jackson has recovered from fitness concerns and scored against Fulham to take his tally to eight goals in 12 appearances for the club.

Leon Goretzka made his first Premier League start in that match. However, Joao Gomes could replace him if Emery takes a cautious approach with the Germany international.

Suggested bets: Barcelona to win and both teams to score at 1.81; Yamal to register two or more decisive contributions at 2.60; Raphinha to score and Barcelona to win at 1.75.

Probable teams: Barcelona J. Garcia; Cancelo, Martin, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, Rodri; Yamal, Lopez, Gordon; Raphinha. Aston Villa Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Manzambi, Buendia; Jackson.

Barcelona’s Champions League form is VVD and their overall form is VVVDDV. Aston Villa’s corresponding records are VVV and VVVVDN.