A questionable team selection, three counter-attacks, three goals, three mistakes by Lucas Digne in a struggling defence, two gilt edge chances missed in the final five minutes. Simplistic and harsh but not inaccurate as to how Villa lost on their return to Europe. A real mess of a match.

Villa face Legia Warszawa for the first time in competitive football, Legia become the 165th team that the Villa first team has played in League or Cup football, Villa’s 44th continental European opponents and their second from Poland having played Górnik Zabrze in their 1978-79 UEFA Cup campaign.

Clément Lenglet makes his Villa debut after joining on a season long loan from Barcelona to become the 993rd player to play for Villa in first team League or Cup football.

Calum Chambers makes his 30th appearance (16 Starts) since joining the club in January 2022 to record W15 D5 L10, 1 Goal and 3 Bookings so far in his Villa career.

Nicolò Zaniolo contributes his 1st assist in a Villa shirt on his 4th appearance (2 Starts) to make it W2 D0 L2, 1 Assist and 2 Bookings so far in his Villa career.