Full List: 5 Champions League newcomers

With the expanded UEFA Champions League beginning this week, AFP Sport casts an eye over some of the new names to look out for in the competition this season:

ASTON VILLA
Villa return to the continent’s elite competition for the first time in 41 years but have pedigree having won the European Cup in 1982.

As recently as 2018/19, they were languishing in the second tier, yet Villa have been transformed since Unai Emery’s appointment as manager under two years ago.

The Spaniard’s tactical nous, allied to some savvy recruitment, has propelled Villa up the Premier League table and saw them beat the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham to finish fourth last season.

Villa Park will host some mouthwatering European nights as Bayern Munich visit in a repeat of the final 42 years ago, while Juventus make the trip to Birmingham before a Battle of Britain against Celtic.

Success or failure will depend largely on Argentina’s Emi Martinez performing heroics in goal and England striker Ollie Watkins’ ability to make a mark in his first taste of Champions League football.

VFB STUTTGART
Stuttgart are not really newcomers, but they return to the Champions League for the first time since 2010.

After taking over with Stuttgart sitting last in the league late in the 2022/23 season, coach Sebastian Hoeness took the club through a relegation play-off to keep the five-time German champions in the top flight.

Stuttgart then surprised everyone last season, finishing second, 40 points better off than the previous season and above Bayern.

The impressive campaign led to a summer exodus, with prolific striker Serhou Guirassy, defenders Waldemar Anton and Hiroki Ito all leaving for Bundesliga rivals.

The Porsche-backed club invested during the