Aston Villa Women have been drawn against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in the league phase of the UEFA Women's Champions League. The fixtures were confirmed this week, setting up a major European campaign for Unai Emery's team as they return to the continent's top competition.
Villa qualified by finishing fourth in the Women's Super League and winning the Europa League final last season. They were placed in pot two for the draw, which also paired them with Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce, Viking, Galatasaray, and Slavia Prague. The exact match dates will be confirmed in the coming days, and fans can track the schedule on our fixtures page.
What are the key fixtures for Aston Villa Women?
The standout matches are against pot one giants Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain. The trip to face Barcelona at Camp Nou will be the first meeting between the clubs since 1983. The game against PSG brings a reunion for manager Unai Emery, who previously managed the French club. In 2017, while Emery was in charge, Barcelona staged a famous Champions League comeback against his PSG side.
There is recent positive history for Villa against PSG too. They beat them at Villa Park in the second leg of a quarter-final 16 months ago, a performance many consider the peak of the Emery era so far. Villa also gave PSG a scare in the UEFA Super Cup this month despite fielding a weakened team. Two years ago, they provided a tough test for PSG en route to their first Champions League title.
How does the squad look for the challenge?
Captain John McGinn has been open about the season ahead. "We expect a difficult, transitional season," McGinn said, acknowledging the changes at the club. This summer has seen a raft of departures, leaving a squad described as having freshness and youthfulness. The current squad list reflects this new look.
The team's domestic form from the previous campaign provides context. They finished 9th in the final 2025 FA WSL table, with 20 points from 22 games. Their record showed 5 wins, 5 draws, and 12 losses, with a recent form line of LLLLW. They scored 28 goals but conceded 48, leaving them with a -20 goal difference and 35 points behind champions Manchester City W in the standings.
What is Aston Villa Women's recent European record?
Consistency in Europe has been a hallmark under Emery. Their previous Champions League campaign saw them secure a top-eight finish in the league phase, earning direct passage to the last 16. Over the past three seasons, Villa have reached at least the quarter-finals in European competitions while balancing domestic duties.
The report from The New York Times' The Athletic predicts another quarter-final finish is within reach for Villa this season. Achieving that would be considered an excellent accomplishment. However, Emery himself has higher ambitions; he aims to improve on the 2024-25 campaign and guide his team to the final four.
What does this mean for the season ahead?
The Champions League draw sets a clear benchmark for Aston Villa Women. Facing the likes of Barcelona and PSG will test the new-look squad immediately. The team's ability to compete on two fronts will be scrutinized, especially after a transitional summer. Their stats from last season highlight areas needing improvement to match Europe's elite.
Progress in the Champions League remains the primary goal. Another run to the quarter-finals would represent significant success and continue the positive trajectory Emery has established. The journey begins with those marquee fixtures against former and familiar foes.
