Louie Barry in action for Barcelona’s youth side in 2019
“For all the games they had won (three out of three) and goals they had scored (12), Aston Villa’s 100 per cent record in this season’s Champions League was undone by a ruthless Barcelona on Tuesday. The home side led within seven minutes in the Camp Nou rain and dominated possession, but Villa went into the break with hope, given how open Barca’s defence looked. Had it not been for Joao Gomes’ mistake in passing the ball across his own box to Lamine Yamal for the seventh-minute opener, Villa would have been satisfied with the opening 45 minutes. But early in the second half the game unravelled for the visitors, and towards the end of the match Prince William was among the many travelling fans who could only glumly look on. …”
NYT/ATH
NYT/ATH: Louie Barry, Barcelona and a transfer that remains ‘unbelievable’, seven years on (Video)
YouTube: Barcelona vs. Aston Villa

PSG, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Betis: The Champions League’s flawless five
“Three matchdays into the Champions League — and with the fourth to come this Tuesday and Wednesday — just five teams with a 100 per cent record remain. Back-to-back winners Paris Saint-Germain, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Real Betis have won all three of their games so far, but can they keep it up? Here, we analyse their European aims, pick out a key player per side and tell you a stat or tactical element that makes each team an intriguing prospect. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)

Champions League briefing: Manchester United fans get just reward, PSG make more history
“Nobody needed this Champions League night more than Manchester United. For much of their game against Roma, they looked brittle and flawed. Their supporters released green and gold balloons before the game to protest against the club’s owners, and threw tennis balls onto the pitch during the first half to reinforce their point. …”
NYT/ATH

YouTube: Atlético de Madrid vs Bayern, Bodø/Glimt vs. Lille, Manchester United vs. Roma, Atlético Madrid vs. Bayern Munich, Villarreal vs. PSG