Aston Villa visit Barcelona as Manchester United seek to end winless run

Aston Villa will look to extend their strong start to the Champions League when they visit Barcelona on Tuesday, in Matchday 4 action. Villa are one of five teams with three wins from three games in the competition, and they face the leaders of La Liga, who have scored more goals than any other side in Europe this season.

Villa test Barcelona's favourite status

Barcelona have scored 57 goals in 14 domestic and Champions League matches this season. Raphinha has 17 of those, a run that has come since manager Hansi Flick moved him into a central striker role.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said Barcelona are considered favourites because of their recent results and what they have achieved over the last decade, but that they need to confirm that status. Emery stressed that the league phase is a long process. To reach the top eight, he said, his side must avoid surprises, and the second half of the season will decide much. Barcelona have six points from three games, while Villa have nine.

"We need to find out our personality and make the most of our qualities," Emery said.

Manchester United search for a result

Manchester United have not won a match in any competition since beating Sabah on Matchday 1, on September 10. They have since lost their last two Champions League games, against Atlético Madrid and Como, as their difficult season has continued both at home and in Europe.

Their opponents on Tuesday, Roma, have made a strong start in Serie A and sit third in the table. In the Champions League, however, they have one win, one draw and one defeat from three matches.

United manager Michael Carrick said on Monday that the team's full focus was on the game. "We cannot wait for the game tomorrow. That is all I am focused on," he said. "What happens after, happens."

Carrick also spoke about his time at the club. "I love being here, I love working with the players," he said. "The struggles, the challenges, that just drives you on to want even more."

Other Matchday 4 fixtures

Bayern Munich, who have drawn their last two Champions League games, visit Atlético Madrid, where USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso plays. Lille, one of six teams still without a win in the competition, face Bodø/Glimt. Feyenoord host Inter Milan, and LASK meet Slovan Bratislava, another side yet to win. Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning back-to-back champions, travel to Villarreal, where USMNT defender Alex Freeman plays.

Earlier kickoffs on Tuesday included Galatasaray and Stuttgart, and Shakhtar Donetsk and Sporting, both of which were goalless when the source reports were published.