Aston Villa news: Fans look ahead to Champions League return

Aston Villa fans have been getting excited for Tuesday’s Champions League opener against Young Boys (17:45 BST) with fan Luke thinking he “might get a bit teary” as he looks ahead to their first game in Europe’s top club competition since 1983.

“I’ll probably get quite emotional. I don’t know how I’ll feel when they’re all lining up with that anthem on. It’s big for a fan that’s not seen your team in the biggest competition in European football,” he told The Football News Show.

On BBC Radio 5 Live’s Breakfast show earlier, Villa fan Becky Fielding said: “It’s so exciting – from going back down to the Championship and having some of the poorest seasons of football.

“It’s just a whole dream – not just a dream for me, it’s a dream for my kids as well. They’ve followed them since they were babies and now they’re getting the opportunity to go and see Champions League football.”

BBC Radio WM reporter Mike Taylor has been out in Bern and caught up with a few supporters.

“It’s a big thing for the club, a big step up for us. The Europa Conference last season was a good taste of playing European football – but this is the big time,” one fan said.

Alistair Bruce-Ball will be commentating on the game live on BBC Radio 5 Live and he spoke about the impact of the artificial pitch at Young Boys and the change it has made to Villa’s plans.

“They’ve travelled out here earlier than they would for an away game in Europe for precisely that reason. Manchester City did the same thing last season.”

Listen to the game live here at 17:45