Breaking:Liverpool team news: Nunez replaces Jota
Even with the trip to Palace on Saturday afternoon, Slot has kept with a really strong team for tonight's game at Anfield - his first in the Champions League as Reds boss.
Nunez replaces Jota, who was a doubt after missing a couple of sessions in the week with a knock.
Michael Ballack at Villa Park
Villa Park wouldn't be able to house all the people rumoured to be at the game tonight. One person who we know is there is former Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.
Maybe the unluckiest elite footballer? A bit harsh? Perhaps, but Ballack lost the league title, German Cup final, Champions League final and World Cup final all within a few weeks in 2002.
The German great did still manage to get his hands of plenty of silverware during his time in Munich and London.
Battle of the Three Lions frontmen
Fingers crossed anyways. Harry Kane faces a late fitness test for toight's game after taking a blow to his pesky ankle during Bayern's draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.
The England skipper has been in great form this season and he scored four times in Bayern's Champions League opener last week. But that hasn't stopped Watkins from setting his sights on Kane's spot in the England team.
Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa:
Everyone is fighting for a position on the pitch so I want to be the man to play but day in day out. Harry and I have a good relationship. When I'm in the camp I speak to him so there's no animosity.
I'm doing all I can to be on the pitch and so is he. He's got the records and scored the number of goals he has for a reason. He's put in a lot of hard work over the years to get there.
'We are motivated and so excited to play with our supporters in Villa Park'
Unai Emery, Aston Villa manager, pre-match presser:
We are motivated and so excited to play with our supporters in Villa Park. It is a special, special match for everyone. We are very motivated coming back to Europe last year, with Aston Villa not playing Bayern Munich since 42 years ago.
Fitness issues hitting the Reds?
Arne Slot confirmed on Tuesday that Federico Chiesa will miss tonight's clash with a small issue, while Diogo Jota could also miss out having sat out a couple of sessions after getting a knock against Wolves.
Elsewhere, Andy Robertson and Darwin Nunez, who missed the weekend win at Molineux with illness, could also be left out.
The Reds travel to south London to take on Crystal Palace at 12:30 on Saturday - that's a pretty brutal turnaround. But I'm sure Klopp told Slot all about that.
Team news will be with us before the hour.
Villa's touching tribute to Gary Shaw
The former Aston Villa hero will be sorely missed tonight following his death after a fall in his home last month. Shaw was part of the Villa side that claimed the European Cup in 1982, scoring vital goals in the early rounds.
In a touching tribute to him, it looks like Villa have included him in their squad list for tonight's game, next to an icon of the Champions League in place of a roster number.
Landmark game at Anfield
Don't be fooled into thinking all the history is taking place at Villa Park tonight. No, no, up in Merseyside the Reds are set to play their 250th game in the European Cup.
Remarkably, despite winning the thing six times, Liverpool sit 10th in the all-time list behind the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. But, can you name the rest? Answers will be with you shortly.
Aston Villa's European Cup-winning captain Dennis Mortimer is on a mission to reclaim iconic kit when Bayern Munich come to town
Anticipation building at Villa Park
Villa couldnt have asked for a better opponent in their first home game in the Champions League in more than 40 years. Bayern Munich, the side they defeated 1-0 in the 1982 in the Netherlands arrive in the west Midlands looking to spoil one hell of a party.
And despite the superb start to the campaign by Vincent Kompany's men, Villa will feel they have enough quality to get something from the clash.
'We as a team CANNOT accept mediocrity'
Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, pre-match presser:
We didn’t concede anything in the last 15 minutes – I think they only had two shots in the second half – but in promising situations we lost the ball before it led to a chance, and we lost the ball a few times really easy before it even got to a promising situation. We as a team, if you have so much quality, cannot accept mediocrity.
![CORRECTION / Liverpool's Argentinian midfielder #10 Alexis Mac Allister speaks during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League 1st round day 2 football match against Bologna, at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, north west England, on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / "The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Paul ELLIS has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [at Anfield stadium] instead of [at the AXA training centre]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/02/18/1727888707460_lc_galleryImage_CORRECTION_Liverpool_s_Ar.JPG)
The evening's slate
Here's the full list of fixtures taking place tonight in the Champions League. Nine games in all in this year's revamped competition. Away from the English sides, defending champions Real Madrid take on Lille and there's a good-looking clash between RB Leipzig and Juventus in Germany as well.
Another night of Champions League fun
Good evening and welcome to Mail Sport's coverage of Wednesday night's Champions League action with a special focus on Liverpool's clash against Bologna and Bayern Munich's trip to Villa Park.
Arne Slot's men are looking to make it two wins from two in this year's competition after recording a comfortable 3-1 win in their opener against AC Milan. Bologna were European football's revelation last term under Thiago Motta but the Italian has left to join Juventus, while Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori have made moves to the Premier League. Can they still spring a surprise?
Elsewhere, Villa welcome Bayern to the west Midlands in what is sure to be an emotional night. Villa of course won the European Cup in 1982 thanks to a 1-0 win against the Germans. The surving members of that team will be brought out onto the pitch tonight. Sadly Gary Shaw, who passed away last month, will be missing, though you'd expect the club and or his former team-mates to honour him in front of the home ground.
Team news and updates aplenty before kick-off around Europe at 8pm!
Key Updates
Liverpool team news: Nunez replaces Jota
'We are motivated and so excited to play with our supporters in Villa Park'
Aston Villa's European Cup-winning captain Dennis Mortimer is on a mission to reclaim iconic kit when Bayern Munich come to town
Another night of Champions League fun