RB Leipzig can no longer qualify for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 following a late 3-2 loss to Aston Villa.

RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa
Goals: 0-1 McGinn 3’ (assist: Watkins), 1-1 Openda 27’ (assist: Seiwald), 1-2 Durán 53’ (assist: Tielemans), 2-2 Baumgartner 62‘ (assist: Openda), 2-3 Barkley 85‘

Leipzig’s pursuit of their first point in this season's Champions League did not get off to a promising start against Villa, with the Saxony side also needing win to have any hope of staying in the competition. From the first whistle, it seemed that Die Roten Bullen would be in for more disappointment after their 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan last time out, as Villa captain John McGinn opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute. The visitors dominated for a spell, but Leipzig were gifted a way back into the game inside half an hour as a defensive mix-up allowed Loïs Openda to run through unnoticed, touch the ball round Emiliano Martínez in the Villa goal and finish into an empty net. The half finished in an end-to-end fashion, with neither side able to take the lead.

The game showed no signs of slowing after half-time, either. Villa super-sub Jhon Durán replaced Ollie Watkins, making his presence felt with a thunderous long-range goal in the 53rd minute. But again, Leipzig responded in kind. Openda, who was their biggest threat all game, received a long ball in the left channel and floated a cross towards the back post, which the arriving Christoph Baumgartner just managed to reach, converting with a supremely clever finish less than 10 minutes after going behind. The home side had their tails up and went hunting for the all-important three points, with chances for Openda, Antonio Nusa and second-half substitute André Silva. But it was to be heartbreak again as a huge deflection from a Ross Barkley shot wrong-footed Peter Gulácsi late on, restoring Villa’s lead and making it mathematically impossible for Leipzig to progress in the competition, with no points on the board from the first six of eight matchdays.

Match stats

• Benjamin Šeško has scored three of Leipzig's four Champions League goals this season. Among teams to have netted more than once, the Slovenian has accounted for a higher percentage of his team's goals than any other player in 2024/25 (75 percent). 
• Openda is just one goal (eight) behind Šeško (nine) in all competitions in 2024/25, but the Belgian is yet to fire in this season's Champions League.
• Leipzig have averaged 386 high-intensity pressures per game in this season's Champions League - the second-most of any team in the tournament behind Sturm Graz (392.4).
• However, Die Roten Bullen's seven-match winless run is their longest in the Champions League since debuting in the competition in 2017/18.
• This was Villa's first European away game against German opposition since December 2008, when they lost 3-1 to Hamburg in the now defunct UEFA Cup. 
• Leon Bailey registered 28 goals and 21 assists in 119 Bundesliga appearances, contributing three goals across eight meetings against Leipzig.

Teams

Leipzig: Gulácsi - Geertruida, Seiwald, Orbán (c), Henrichs - Baumgartner, Vermeeren (Klostermann 84’), Haidara (Kampl 46’), Nusa – Šeško (Silva 76’), Openda
Unused subs: Vandevoordt, Sakar, Jatta, Gebel
Out: Bitshiabu (muscular), Castello (suspended), Elmas (hamstring), Ouédraogo (thigh), Poulsen (thigh), Raum (ankle), Xavi (ankle)
Coach: Marco Rose

Villa: Martínez – Cash (Nedeljković 71’), Konsa, Torres, Diego Carlos, Digne (Maatsen 83’) - Kamara, Tielemans (Barkley 83’) - Rogers, McGinn (c) (Buendía 76’) – Watkins (Durán 46’)
Unused subs: Gauci, Olsen, Mings, Philogene, Onana, Bogarde, Swinkels
Out: Hause (knee), Ramsey (hamstring)
Coach: Unai Emery

As it happened!

2 - 3

(1 - 1)

Leipzig

FINAL

Villa

Champions League
League phase, Matchday 6 League phase, Matchday 6 Red Bull Arena

Full-time: RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa

Disappointment again for Leipzig. They trailed just after the break, courtesy of a Jhon Durán screamer. A fantastically clever finish from Baumgartner brought them back level just 10 minutes later for the second time in the match. Openda looked a threat all game and Nusa livened up in the second half, but it was heartbreak again for Leipzig, as a huge deflection from a Ross Barkley shot restored Villa's lead late on in the match.

© IMAGO/James Marsh/Shutterstock

90'

+ 3

Openda rushes it

A poor clearance from Maatsen falls to Openda, just inside the box. The Leipzig forward rushes his finish, though, slicing it well wide of the target.

89'

Effort from Nusa

The winger wriggles free into the box and gets a low shot away towards the front post, but the Villa keep is down quickly to make the save. Leipzig don't make anything of the subsequent corners.

85'

Barkley restores Villa's lead

The Englishman had only just come on. He picks the ball up on the edge of the box and hits a speculative effort. It takes a huge deflection off Seiwald, wrong-footing Gulácsi and nestling in the left of the goal.

85'

Ross Barkley

GOAL!

2:3

85'

Openda breaks

The striker picks the ball up down the left channel. He gets into the box and shoots, but his effort is blocked.

84'

Substitution

Lukas Klostermann

Arthur Vermeeren

83'

Substitution

Ian Maatsen

Lucas Digne

83'

Substitution

Ross Barkley

Youri Tielemans

82'

Openda should've scored!

Torres gives the ball away carelessly at the back for Villa. Openda pounces on the loose ball and has a one-on-one with Martínez, but he hits it straight at the Villa keeper.

81'

Henrichs booked

The defender receives a yellow card for a late challenge on Durán.

81'

Yellow card

Benjamin Henrichs

81'

Openda takes...

...but it's straight into the wall, and Villa clear the second ball.

79'

Yellow card

Diego Carlos

79'

Free-kick to Leipzig

Diego Carlos fouls Openda right on the edge of the Villa penalty area giving Leipzig a set-piece in a very good position.

77'

Corner to Villa

Digne takes, finding Torres' head, but the effort is wide.

76'

Substitution

André Silva

Benjamin Šeško

76'

Substitution

Emiliano Buendía

John McGinn

75'

Durán goes through

He drives at the Leipzig goal and has McGinn to his left, but opts to go alone. His shot is blocked, however.

73'

What a stop by Gulácsi!

Rogers drives at the Leipzig defence. He plays a one-two with McGinn before laying it off for Digne at the far post, who was free. His effort back across goal forces a spectacular save out of Gulácsi. The veteran goalkeeper then does excellently to tip the subsequent corner round the post again.

71'

Substitution

Kosta Nedeljković

Matty Cash

Durán from distance

It's not the first screamer the Colombian has scored in the Champions League this season...

© IMAGO/James Marsh/Shutterstock

67'

Snap-shot by Durán

Kamara plays it to the forward on the edge of the Leipzig box. His wild, left-footed effort is high and well wide.

62'

Baumgartner brings it level again!

Openda is played through down the left channel with a long ball over the top. Martínez is hesitant to come off his line, and Openda cuts back, holds the ball up well and curls a floating cross towards the back post. Baumgartner is arriving and just manages to reach the cross, finishing with a clever effort to chip it back across goal and beyond the Villa keeper. What a goal!

62'

Christoph Baumgartner

GOAL!

2:2

58'

Durán's second disallowed

The Villa striker thought he had a brace. A ball over the top to Cash, is squared immediately to Durán in the middle, who finishes from inside 12 yards. VAR chalk it off, however, for an offside in the build-up.

57'

Nusa does well

The winger beats a couple of Villa players down the left wing to get to the byline, before crossing. Play is then called back, with the referee judging the ball to have stricken Nusa on the arm.

55'

Over from Rogers

The goal has lifted Villa - the visitors are looking very confident. This time Kamara picks out Rogers on the edge of the Leipzig box, who fakes his shot, cutting onto his left. His subsequent effort is well over, though.

53'

Durán with a screamer!

Villa's super-sub strikes again with another worldie against a German side. He picks up the ball just inside the Leipzig half, drives at the Leipzig defence and lets fly from 30 yards. His curling effort loops over Gulácsi and flies into the roof of the net.

53'

Jhon Durán

GOAL!

1:2

50'

Kamara!

Again Cash is played down the right. He holds the ball up, cuts it back to Tielemans, who then lays it off to Kamara. His left-footed shot from the edge of the box doesn't trouble Gulácsi, though.

48'

First chance for Durán

A Villa corner is cleared by the Leipzig captain, but only as far as another Villa player. The ball eventually falls to the recently introduced Durán on the edge of the box, who slices his shot wide.

46'

Back underway!

Leipzig get the ball rolling again for the second half here.

46'

Substitution

Kevin Kampl

Amadou Haidara

46'

Substitution

Jhon Durán

Ollie Watkins

Half-time: RB Leipzig 1-1 Aston Villa

Villa flew out the gates at the start of the half, taking the lead very early through captain John McGinn. They were well in control for the first 15 minutes, and may rue missed chances in that time. Leipzig grew into the game around the 20th minute, beginning to sustain possession. Openda drew them level with a clever finish after a Villa mistake at the back, setting up a thrilling second half here at the Red Bull Arena.

© IMAGO/Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images

45'

+ 1

One added minute

There is to be just one additional minute at the end of this half.

45'

Yellow card

Lucas Digne

45'

Corner for Leipzig

Openda is played to the byline, before attempting a cut-back to Šeško, but Villa block behind for a corner. Seiwald takes, but Villa clear again.

44'

Watkins through again

This time he holds his run and Tielemans plays him through, but the angle is tighter and his effort is straight at Gulácsi, who holds onto the ball.

41'

Watkins offside

Immediately after the Nusa chance, Villa go up the other end. McGinn plays Watkins through, who breaks behind the Leipzig backline before slotting home between the legs of Gulácsi. He's flagged for offside and a VAR check confirms this to be the correct decision.

41'

Nusa shoots

The winger receives the ball on the left flank. He cuts in, moves the ball onto his right, and lets fly, but Villa get a block in.

McGinn celebrates

It took just 153 seconds for the Villa captain to open the scoring here in Leipzig.

© IMAGO/BEAUTIFUL SPORTS/Jan Kaefer

35'

Cash goes through

The Villa man gets free down the right flank and has an opportunity to shoot at the Leipzig goal, but his effort is straight at Gulácsi, who tips it behind for a corner. McGinn takes, but Openda clears.

33'

Corner for Leipzig

Baumgartner plays a ball over the top for Openda to chase down the right. He squares it for Henrichs, whose shot is deflected behind for a corner. Seiwald takes, but Villa get it clear.

30'

Watkins gives away a foul

The Villa striker looks as though he's through, but Geertruida comes across well to cover. Watkins is then judged to have fouled the defender, in trying to find a way through.

27'

Openda levels it!

A long ball over the top from Leipzig is aimed towards Openda. It looks as if Diego Carlos will clear or Martínez will claim it, but a mistake in communication allows for Openda to get there first. His first touch chips it over the Villa keeper, before he collects it on the other side and slots home into an empty net. Game on!

27'

Loïs Openda

GOAL!

1:1

25'

Tielemans takes...

...and it drops to Cash, but he's pressed well and he rushes his shot, slicing it wide.

24'

Free-kick to Villa

Henrichs fouls Digne in the left channel outside the Leipzig area. Tielemans takes, but Openda heads behind for a corner.

16'

Through by Haidara

Henrichs plays a one-two with Haidara, but the midfielder's return pass is off target.

14'

Wide from Tielemans

Another quick counter-attack from Villa culminates in Tielemans picking the ball up on the edge of the Leipzig box. He shoots, but drags his shot wide.

11'

Rogers shoots

Vermeeren gives the ball away in midfield. Rogers shoots from the edge of the Leipzig area, but it's straight at Gulácsi.

8'

Watkins nearly makes it two

Slick football from Villa. It's worked out to Digne on the left, who whips a cross into the six-yard box. Watkins gets a touch on it, but it's not enough to beat Gulácsi, who tips it round the post for a corner. Villa can't make anything of the set piece.

3'

McGinn opens the scoring!

How easy was that for Villa? Cash picks up the ball on the right of the Leipzig box. He cuts back onto his left, crosses towards Watkins at the back post, who's unchallenged in the air. He knocks it down to the on-rushing McGinn, who slots home from six yards.

3'

John McGinn

GOAL!

0:1

1'

Early chance for Šeško

Nusa drives through the heart of the Villa midfield before slipping a ball in behind for Šeško. The forward takes a left-footed snap-shot, but it's high and wide.

1'

And we're off!

It's Villa who get the ball rolling here in Leipzig.

Surprising selection

Villa striker Jhon Durán has attempted nine shots in the Champions League this season - more than any of his teammates. He's also found the goal twice; against both Bayern Munich and Bologna. He started on the weekend, grabbing Villa's only goal in their 1-0 victory over Southampton, yet Unai Emery has named him on the bench for tonight's clash with Leipzig.

More on those teams:

Marco Rose names an unchanged side from Leipzig's 2-0 victory over Holstein Kiel at the weekend. By contrast, Unai Emery makes three changes to his side that beat Southampton 1-0 over the weekend. Durán, Maatsen and Bailey all drop to the bench in favour of Watkins, Digne and Cash.

Leipzig starting XI:

Gulácsi - Geertruida, Seiwald, Orbán (c), Henrichs - Baumgartner, Vermeeren, Haidara, Nusa - Šeško, Openda

Leipzig subs:

Vandevoordt, Klostermann, Silva, Sakar, Jatta, Kampl, Gebel

Villa starting XI:

Martínez - Cash, Konsa, Torres, Diego Carlos, Digne - Kamara, Tielemans - Rogers, McGinn (c) - Watkins

Villa subs:

Gauci, Olsen, Mings, Barkley, Durán, Buendía, Philogene, Nedeljković, Maatsen, Onana, Bogarde, Swinkels

Leipzig team news

Kevin Kampl is an option after his brief cameo last time out, while the returning Schlager isn't registered so is unavailable. On the long-term injury list are Castello Lukeba, Assan Ouédraogo, Xavi Simons, Raum, Yussuf Poulsen and Elmas.

Loïs Openda on facing Aston Villa

"They're solid defensively and have only conceded once in the Champions League. However, we have the quality in attack to score goals. We're at home and the fans and team are fired up. We want to do our job well tomorrow and score the goals we need to win the game. Just like against Frankfurt, we need to pull together - do that and we can win. We're at home and the fans and team are fired up."

© IMAGO/Roger Petzsche

Marco Rose on facing Aston Villa

"Aston Villa are a very well-organised team The structure that they play with is impressive. That does make the preparation for the game simpler, since you know what to expect. There is a lot of pace and quality in their ranks and they're a threat from set-pieces."

© IMAGO/Sebastian Räppold/Matthias Koch

Unai Emery on facing Leipzig

“Tomorrow is the match and it’s very difficult against Leipzig, who were contenders at the beginning of the competition more than us to be in the top eight or top 24. They’ve had a really hard schedule, playing against a lot of very good teams. I like matches like that because it’s a key match for them to get to the next round, playing with their supporters. The atmosphere will be fantastic for them and we have our supporters here helping us."

© OLI SCARFF

Leipzig vs. English opposition

Leipzig have faced off against Premier League sides on 11 occasions in the Champions League, winning four times, drawing once and suffering six defeats. Leipzig's most notable result against English opposition came en route to reaching the semi-final stage of the Champions League in 2019/20, when they beat Tottenham both home and away to win 4-0 on aggregate in the round of 16.

© ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images

Ex-Bundesliga Villains

A considerable contingent of the Aston Villa squad has spent time in Germany. Ian Maatsen spent the second half of 2023/24 on loan at Borussia Dortmund, midfielder Amadou Onana is a Hoffenheim academy graduate who played for Hamburg in the 2020/21 season, and Leon Bailey was at Leverkusen between 2016 and 2021.

© IMAGO/Moritz Mueller

RB Leipzig - the story so far

It has not been a good Champions League campaign so far for Leipzig - who remain without a win after five matches and are 34th out of 36 teams in the table, currently. Four of those defeats have come by a single goal, including their 0-1 loss at Inter Milan in the last matchday.

© PIERO CRUCIATTI

Aston Villa - the story so far

The English Premier League side started their first season in the Champions League/European Cup since the 1982/83 in sensational style - landing three wins out of three, including a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich. After a 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge and 0-0 draw at home to Juventus, they are ninth in the table.

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of RB Leipzig's sixth UEFA Champions League game of the 2024/25 league phase at home to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

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