Opposition report: What can Bayern Munich expect from Aston Villa

On Wednesday night, Bayern Munich will take to the field for their second Champions league game of the season away to Aston Villa. Here is all you need to know about the Villans ahead of the game.

Villa are managed by Unai Emery, who took over the club from Steven Gerrard in early November of 2022, when they were in 17th place in the Premier League. What has happened since has been pretty hard to comprehend.

The Spanish manager's impact was so stark and so immediate that despite being one place above the relegation zone, Villa were able to finish the season in seventh and qualify for the UEFA Conference League, where they lost to eventual champions Olympiacos in the semifinals.

In his second season, things got even better, as he helped guide Villa to a fourth place finish and helped them qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 1983. Emery has been credited for the impressive development of several players who had seriously stagnated under the tutualege of Gerrard.

One player in particular is Ollie Watkins, who scored 19 Premier League goals under Emery last season, with his previous best being 14. He deputised Bayern's Harry Kane for England at the Euros, and scored the winner against The Netherlands in the semifinal. Should the Bayern number nine be fit for the game, we are likely to see England's first two choice strikers go head-to-head.

Other players such as defender Ezri Konsa, winger Leon Bailey and several others have developed under Emery, with the most recent example being Morgan Rogers. The attacking midfielder was having a fairly unassuming season in the English Championship when Villa signed him in January, but has been fantastic since coming in, particularly this season.

His performances of late have led to fans asking for England interim manager Lee Carsley, who coached Rogers for the U21s, to call him up to the senior side. In six Premier League games this season, the midfielder has one goal, four big chances created, and twelve successful dribbles. Bayern will have to keep him quiet to optimize their chances of a win.

Jhon Duran has caught headlines for his goals off the bench this season, with the striker having five Premier League goals despite not starting a game, and he is another player Bayern will have to be careful of.

The main weakness for Villa is that they play extremely high and they can be exposed in behind. Newly promoted Ipswich Town had a lot of joy against their high line in the English Premier League on Sunday and probably should have won the game. Should Kane not be available for the game, it could be the type of match up that Mathys Tel seriously thrives in, in the 31-year old's absence.