Aston Villa Champions League draw: League phase opponents, new format explanation and ticket information

Aston Villa have now discovered the eight teams they will face in the League Phase of the new UEFA Champions League season.

It’s nearly time for Unai Emery’s men to reap the rewards after earning a spot in Europe’s most elite completion with a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League last campaign.

The Villans will be competing in the Champions League for the first time, 41 years on from their last appearance in the previously called European Cup. Villa were famously crowned champions in 1982 and will be eager to rewrite history in a similar manner.

It’s set to be a mightily difficult season ahead with extra fixtures now implemented in the new Champions League format. There’s not been a more exciting time to be a Villa fan in the last four decades, though, so most won’t be complaining one ounce - but rather drinking in every second.

How does the new Champions League format work?

UEFA’s top club competition has expanded in size, from 32 teams to 36 starting from the 2024/25 season. Villa will face eight different clubs in the group stage, rather than the previous three, but only play each side once opposed to twice.

Group stage opponents will be decided by four ‘pots’ - calculated by UEFA’s coefficient points - and Villa will take on two teams from each, one home and one away. 

Once the group stage is over, the top eight clubs out of the league of 36 will automatically qualify for the knockout stage. The teams placed ninth to 24th will enter a play-off round of 16 sides, the eight winners of which will join the other eight already qualified.

The process of dropping down to the Europa League has now been scrapped, meaning Villa must progress from the Champions League group stage to continue their European venture.

Emery’s side will receive £16 million upfront for just qualifying for the Champions League, while each win in the group stage is worth £1.81 million and every draw £600,000.

Aston Villa’s confirmed Champions League draw 2024/25

Without further ado, here are Villa’s opponents - with the first round of action to commence on the week of September 17-19.

Pot one opponents: Bayern Munich (H), Red Bull Leipzig (A).

Pot two opponents: Juventus (H), Club Brugge (A).

Pot three opponents: Celtic (H), BSC Young Boys (A).

Pot four opponents: Bologna (H), AS Monaco (A).

The calendar will be announced on Saturday to establish the order of Villa’s Champions League fixtures throughout the upcoming campaign.

How to get tickets for Aston Villa’s Champions League matches

Official information is yet to be released, but season ticket holders will have priority over members. It’s worth following the club's official channels for information about ticket sales, dates, and member pre-sales. You can also sign up for Champions League mailing lists or alerts for insider information and early access to ticket sales.