Buy our Aston Villa 2024-25 special pre-order now from our online ...

Champions League, you're having a laugh!

Yes, Aston Villa are competing in European football's premium competition this season and, yes, the claret and blue faithful are having a rather contented chuckle to themselves.

Just five years after being reinstated to the top flight following a Championship play-off final victory over Derby County at Wembley, Villa have gatecrashed the established elite and are hellbent on keeping their place at the top table.

With PSR, FFP and other financial acronyms proving to be more challenging opponents than many of their Premeir League rivals last season, the powers-that-be at Villa Park have been doing some calculated wheeling and dealing this summer.

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Losing Douglas Luiz to balance the books has been the biggest blow so far, but Villa's disappointment at the Brazilian midfielder's move to Juventus is offset by the arrivals from the Turin club of Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior.

Then there's the exciting capture of Chelsea's Borussia Dortmund Championship League finalist Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley's return to Witton after a productive spell at Luton Town, with plenty more transfer movement to come.

Amadou Onana's impending signing from Everton is set to be another major coup for Villa while talented rookie Jaden Philogene-Bidace has been to Hull and back with the prospect of plenty unfinished business in claret and blue when his homecoming is completed.

Having fast-tracked Villa from Premier League also-rans to Champions League competitors within his first 18 months, Emery is determined to maintain the pace of progress.

Being competitive in Europe will be a key priority as will cementing the club's status in the higher echelons of the top flight. Another top four finish is a big ask, especially with Villa fans crying out for a first trophy in almost three decades but Emery thrives on the expectation and positively encourages the Villa Park masses to dream.

Whichever way you look at it, this is a great time to be an Aston Villa fan and to celebrate the optimism in B6 we've produced our Aston Villa 2024-25 Kick Off special, our brilliant guide to the new season.

Our man at Villa, John Townley, will waltz you through what to expect from Villa in 2024/25, turn the spotlight on Emery, run the rule over the new signings and pinpoint the ones to watch who could be key to success.

Our club-by-club guides give you the lowdown on Villa's Premier League rivals and the managers in the division, while our away days pages will tell you all you need to know about the grounds Villa will be visiting.

With a full fixture list and key dates for the campaign, Aston Villa 2024-25 Kick-Off will get you back in perfect match shape in time for Villa's opening day curtain-raiser at West Ham on Saturday, August 17.

Order your copy now from our online store and get it delivered direct to your door.

On sale in selected independent retailers and supermarkets in Birmingham priced £3.50 from Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Worldwide shipping available, postage and packaging applies.