The lowdown on FC Barcelona

Aston Villa journey to one of European football's cathedrals on Tuesday night to face FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

A first visit to the Camp Nou since 1983 will see Unai Emery’s men continue their league phase campaign versus the Spanish champions.

Villa are one of seven unbeaten teams through the first three matches, winning against Club Brugge, Fenerbahçe and Viking FK.

Barcelona thrashed Feyenoord and Galatasaray in their opening two games before going down to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday Three.

Here’s the lowdown on Villa’s next opponents…

Scenesetter

It’s been over 43 years since Villa last played Barça, the first leg of the 1983 UEFA Super Cup, which ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts.

Tony Barton’s Villans came back and won 3-0 in the second leg to lift the trophy on our last meeting with Barcelona.

The current Barca team are the reigning La Liga champions, and they sit top of the table after 11 matches in 2026/27.

Full of quality in all areas of the pitch, Hansi Flick’s team have scored 11 goals and conceded six in the Champions League this term.

They’re attempting to win the competition for a sixth time and first since 2015.

In the dugout

Hansi Flick has won La Liga in each of his first two seasons with Barcelona, picking up five honours in total.

The 61-year-old’s intense and attacking playing style has made his team one of the most entertaining sides to watch in world football.

Flick arrived in Spain following a spell leading his country, Germany, between 2021/23, enduring a group stage exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

His stint with the national team came on the back of a successful two seasons with Bayern Munich, where he won the Champions League as part of a domestic treble in 2019/20.

Flick, a four-time Bundesliga winner as a Bayern midfielder, also picked up the FIFA Club World Cup during his time in Bavaria.

The captain

Former Leeds United man Raphinha wears the captain’s armband for the club, having made a huge impact since joining them in 2022.

The Brazilian has starred as a centre forward this season, scoring 17 goals in just 12 matches.

Raphinha is also capable of playing on either wing, giving defenders a torrid time with his trickery and pace.

The 29-year-old had a stunning campaign in 2024/25, scoring 34 times in all competitions as he won the second of his three La Liga titles.

Their home

Camp Nou is one of the most incredible arenas in world football, with its huge bowl-like structure creating an incredible atmosphere.

Villa fans will find plenty of construction work taking place at the famous ground as Barcelona increases the capacity from just over 60,000 to an expected 105,000.

It’s been the venue for two Champions League finals, including Manchester United’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in 1999.

Camp Nou, which opened its doors in 1957, also hosted matches at the 1982 FIFA World Cup and the 1992 Olympics.

Three to watch

Lamine Yamal

The jewel in Barcelona’s crown is Yamal, 19, who has taken world football by storm since breaking onto the senior scene.

He became the club’s youngest-ever player when he featured as a 15-year-old, and he’s already racked up over 160 appearances.

Yamal has won a raft of individual awards, including La Liga Player of the Season last term, in addition to three league titles.

A dazzling talent with the ball at his feet, Yamal operates on the right wing in their 4-2-3-1 system.

Pedri

Making things tick in midfield is the Spanish ace, who has the ability to control the tempo and flow of any match.

Plucked from Las Palmas as a 16-year-old, Pedri has developed into one of the finest technicians in the game.

Hansi Flick has deployed him in central midfield alongside Rodri and Fermín López this season.

The 23-year-old was pivotal to Spain’s World Cup triumph earlier this year, adding to the European Championship crown he won in 2024.

Pau Cubarsí

Cubarsí is another gem to have emerged from the club’s famed La Masia youth ranks.

An intelligent, ball-playing centre-back, he debuted in January 2024 as a 16-year-old under the management of Barca legend Xavi.

The 19-year-old has been a regular ever since, forming a key part of Flick’s defence during his tenure.

Gerard Martín has emerged as Cubarsí’s regular centre-back partner, but Eric García and Andreas Christensen offer quality depth at the position.

Last season

Barcelona wrapped up the 2025/26 La Liga title with three matches to spare, getting over the line with an El Clásico victory.

Flick’s team scored their way to consecutive championships, netting 18 more goals than any other side as they plundered 96 in total.

Rivals Real Madrid finished eight points adrift as Barca won 31 of their 38 league matches.

Barça also won the Supercopa, but their run in the Champions League came to an end at the quarter-final stage via defeat to Atlético Madrid.