Top Champions League Teams: Aston Villa vs Arsenal

Ranking Champions League Favourites After Last-16 Draw: Aston Villa Above Arsenal

The UEFA Champions League is heating up as we enter the knockout stage, with only 29 matches left out of 189 before the grand final in Munich on May 31, 2025. The last-16 draw has set the stage for thrilling encounters, with three Premier League giants—Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa—finding themselves on the same side of the draw alongside Real Madrid. This makes the road to the final even more challenging. Let’s dive into the rankings of the remaining contenders, assessing their chances based on form, squad depth, and past performances.

15. Club Brugge 🇧🇪

✅ Key Achievement: Defeated Atalanta in both legs. ✅ Next Opponent: Aston Villa (whom they already beat in the group stage). ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Liverpool or PSG.

Brugge’s journey to the last-16 has been impressive, edging past a strong Atalanta side. However, while they may fancy their chances against Aston Villa, facing Liverpool or PSG in the quarter-finals seems like a tough ask. Reaching the last eight itself would be a massive achievement for the Belgian club.

14. PSV Eindhoven 🇳🇱

✅ Key Moment: Knocked out Juventus with a stunning second-leg performance. ✅ Star Performers: Noa Lang and Ivan Perisic. ✅ Next Opponent: Arsenal. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid.

PSV Eindhoven delivered a memorable performance against Juventus, with Noa Lang dazzling and Perisic rolling back the years with a world-class finish. PSV have previously drawn against Arsenal at the Philips Stadium and even beaten them in the past, so they might pull off a surprise. However, if they do upset Arsenal, facing one of the Madrid powerhouses next will be a daunting task.

13. Benfica 🇵🇹

✅ Key Moment: Pushed Barcelona to the limit in the group stage. ✅ Next Opponent: Barcelona (rematch). ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Bayern Munich.

Benfica came agonizingly close to shocking Barcelona, leading 3-1 and 4-2 before eventually falling 5-4. While this proves they can compete, the real question is whether they can maintain their intensity over two legs. Shutting down Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and the Barcelona attack for 180 minutes will be their biggest challenge.

12. Inter Milan 🇮🇹

✅ Key Moment: Defeated Real Sociedad in the group stage. ✅ Next Opponent: Porto. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich.

Inter Milan have shown resilience, finishing ahead of Real Sociedad in their group. Their defense, marshaled by Alessandro Bastoni, remains one of the best in Europe. Facing Porto in the last-16 gives them a solid chance to progress, but meeting Bayern or Dortmund in the quarters could be a real test.

11. Atlético Madrid 🇪🇸

✅ Key Moment: Group winners ahead of Lazio. ✅ Next Opponent: Napoli. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Arsenal or PSV.

Diego Simeone’s men always perform well in knockout football. Their tactical discipline and counter-attacking prowess make them a difficult opponent for anyone. Facing Napoli in the last-16 should be manageable, but Arsenal could prove to be a tricky test if they meet in the quarter-finals.

10. Aston Villa 🏴

✅ Key Moment: Topping their group ahead of Club Brugge. ✅ Next Opponent: Club Brugge (again). ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Liverpool or PSG.

Aston Villa have been one of the surprise packages of the tournament. Their attacking football under Unai Emery has been a joy to watch. They’ll fancy their chances against Club Brugge, but Liverpool or PSG in the quarter-finals will be an entirely different challenge.

9. Arsenal 🏴

✅ Key Moment: Securing a dramatic qualification from their group. ✅ Next Opponent: PSV Eindhoven. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Real Madrid or Atlético Madrid.

Arsenal are improving under Mikel Arteta, but their inexperience at this level could be a concern. They should have enough firepower to get past PSV, but Real Madrid or Atlético in the next round could spell trouble.

8. Borussia Dortmund 🇩🇪

✅ Key Moment: Topping their group ahead of PSG. ✅ Next Opponent: Bayern Munich. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Inter Milan or Porto.

Dortmund have been excellent in the group stage but now face their fiercest rivals, Bayern Munich. A win here would put them among the real contenders.

7. Barcelona 🇪🇸

✅ Key Moment: Comeback win over Benfica (5-4). ✅ Next Opponent: Benfica (again). ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Bayern Munich.

Xavi’s side has been inconsistent but possesses world-class talent in Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha. They should beat Benfica, but facing Bayern could be their downfall.

6. Bayern Munich 🇩🇪

✅ Key Moment: Dominant group stage performance. ✅ Next Opponent: Borussia Dortmund. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Barcelona or Benfica.

Bayern Munich remain one of the tournament favorites but must overcome Dortmund first. With Harry Kane in top form, they’ll be hard to stop.

5. PSG 🇫🇷

✅ Key Moment: Edged through a tough group. ✅ Next Opponent: Liverpool. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Aston Villa or Club Brugge.

With Mbappé leading the charge, PSG have enough firepower to go deep into the tournament. Their biggest test will be getting past Liverpool.

4. Liverpool 🏴

✅ Key Moment: Unbeaten in the group stage. ✅ Next Opponent: PSG. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Aston Villa or Club Brugge.

Liverpool are peaking at the right time. A showdown with PSG will test their credentials, but if they advance, they’ll be among the top contenders.

3. Real Madrid 🇪🇸

✅ Key Moment: Flawless group stage run. ✅ Next Opponent: Napoli. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Arsenal or PSV.

Madrid are built for the Champions League. Vinicius Jr, Bellingham, and Rodrygo make them a nightmare for any opponent.

2. Manchester City 🏴

✅ Key Moment: Dominated the group stage. ✅ Next Opponent: Inter Milan. ✅ Potential Quarter-Final Opponent: Bayern Munich or Barcelona.

The defending champions remain the team to beat with Haaland and De Bruyne firing on all cylinders.

1. Bayern Munich 🇩🇪

✅ Key Strength: World-class squad depth. ✅ Key Player: Harry Kane.

With a balanced squad and lethal attack, Bayern Munich are our top favourites to lift the trophy.

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