Emery

Barca were without Andreas Christensen, Eric García and Xavi Espart, leaving them fragile in defence, with 20-year-old midfielder Brian Farinas making his Champions League debut and just second start at right-back.

The hosts had not kept a Champions League clean sheet in 18 games, a run stretching back to April 2025, and there was real fear from seasoned Barca watchers that Villa would exploit their weakness.

In the first half Matty Cash, Gomes and Johan Manzambi, twice, made Barca sweat as the visitors created chances without taking them.

German Leon Goretzka hit the post in the second half but by then the game was done after Raphinha’s strikes.

Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon and Joao Cancelo went close to adding to Barca’s tally, but Emery remained philosophical.

“The test was definitely not in the level we want to achieve but there are a lot of things to learn, a lot of experience for the players and us,” he said. “It is giving me a lot of information to analyse and compete at this level.

“Overall, we are competing fantastically in the Champions League, although playing the match we played we have work to do to get to this level [of Barcelona].

“We were sometimes achieving it and close to scoring goals but we must be ruthless in the attacking third, 3-0 is maybe more than we deserved, but we accept the defeat.”

It was still a reminder of how far Villa have come under Emery, who took over when they were three points above the Premier League relegation zone.

A Champions League night against Barcelona in the Nou Camp was fanciful when the Spaniard walked in the door from Villarreal.

Since then, he has delivered the Europa League title and two Champions League campaigns and this defeat in Spain will be another key marker in Villa’s journey with him as they now prepare to visit Manchester United next on Sunday.

“Barcelona made the right decisions at the right times and scored really good goals,” captain John McGinn told TNT Sports.

“The manager spoke about being clinical at important moments in the game. When you come here, 50-50s sometimes don’t go your way. They also leave players up the pitch so if you lose the ball they can be away.

“I think we are competitive against teams at this level, we have shown that whether it is Bayern Munich or PSG. It was a huge learning curve for us and I am sure it will stand us in good stead for the future.”

Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri is a surprise target for Manchester United, Crystal Palace could turn to England assistant boss Anthony Barry if they sack Pierre Sage, Barcelona are keen on Arsenal centre-back Piero Hincapie.

Manchester United are considering a shock move for Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, 25, with personal terms not a barrier to any potential deal for the Algeria international. (Florian Plettenberg), external

England assistant manager Anthony Barry has emerged as a candidate to replace Pierre Sage if the Frenchman is sacked by Crystal Palace. (Mirror), external

Arsenal‘s Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapie, 24, is on Barcelona sport director Deco’s list of centre-back targets. (Sport – in Spanish), external

Bayern Munich are continuing to monitor Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard while uncertainty surrounds the 27-year-old Norway midfielder’s next contract with the Gunners. (Caughtoffside), external

Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, 27, is prepared to consider leaving Arsenal during the winter transfer window. (Team Talk), external

Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes, 32, will not be offered an escape route out of Old Trafford by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Hilal even though they were close to signing him at the start of the season. (Talksport), external

Tottenham will not sanction the sale of Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall amid interest from Barcelona and Napoli in the 20-year-old. (Football Insider), external

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is on Manchester United‘s five-man shortlist to replace Michael Carrick but the current sporting structure at the club is said to not suit the Spaniard. (Daily Mail – subscription required), external

Minnesota United’s 26-year-old forward Kelvin Yeboah, nephew of Leeds and Ghana hero Tony, is on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs with Everton, Crystal Palace and Sunderland all in the market for a striker. (Talksport), external

Newcastle‘s players believe gambles made by the club in the transfer market during the summer is the main reason behind their struggles this season. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Manchester United linked with Antonio Conte, Unai Emery, Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann among others if they part ways with manager Michael Carrick, Arsenal targeting Atletico Madrid’s Alex Baena and monitoring Monza striker Gustavo Varela.

Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox appears to prefer appointing ex-Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe if the club sack manager Michael Carrick. (Talksport), external

Manchester United would consider Julian Nagelsmann if they part ways with Carrick and the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is keen on the role. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is also among Manchester United‘s dream candidates to replace Carrick. (i news), external

Manchester United have opened talks with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte about the possibility of returning to the Premier League. (La Repubblica – in Italian), external

Manchester United, external would likely have to pay a world record fee if they want to replace Carrick with Fabian Hurzeler and prise the German away from Brighton. (Telegraph – subscription required), external

However, Brighton boss Hurzeler would not be interested in the Manchester United job if it became available. (Talksport), external

Arsenal are targeting a potential move for Atletico Madrid and Spain’s World Cup-winning winger Alex Baena, 25, in the January window. (FootballTransfers), external

Arsenal are also monitoring Monza striker Gustavo Varela, 21, with Napoli and Benfica also interested in the Portuguese player. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian) , external

Brazil defender Gleison Bremer is wanted by Bayer Leverkusen and the 29-year-old could leave Juventus in January. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian), external