Ian Maatsen in action for Aston Villa and Taylor Harwood-Bellis pointing to the Aston Villa badge

Ian Maatsen and Taylor Harwood-BellisTayhbellis_ on Instagram, Imago

How Taylor Harwood-Bellis can revive Aston Villa Champions League dream after Ian Maatsen blow

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at GamingINTEL and GRV Media; University of Wolverhampton graduate. FOCUS Data content, opinion, and general news coverage across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Scott utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, broad-spectrum reporting. He provides the data and opinion foundations behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

13 Sep 2026, 7:10 am

Taylor Harwood-Bellis would have been incredibly disappointed to be left out of Aston Villa's Champions League squad.

Unai Emery had to make a difficult decision with only a limited number of spots open in their European roster.

Harwood-Bellis would ultimately be left out despite proclaiming in his signing interview that the allure of the Champions League had pushed him to join the Villa Park side.

However, not all hope is lost fot the defender, as a new opportunity to make his European bow for Villa can now happen.

As Villa took on Nottingham Forest, injury to Ian Maatsen has put into doubt on his availability for the coming months.

With Emery delivering a worrying update that Harwood-Bellis will be paying attention to.

How Aston Villa could add Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Champions League squad

Although Harwood-Bellis is not a direct replacement for Maatsen, he is a defender that can help ease depth issues.

With the former Southampton man in the squad, the likes of Tyrone Mings could be utilised as a makeshift left-back if needed.

Matteo Ruggeri will likely take up the role, but the Villans will need more than one left-back option.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis: "The club is such a prestigious Premier League club, and then having the added bonus of the Champions League, is something that fills me with nothing but excitement. I can't wait to get out there and show I can do it on the biggest stage." [VillaTV]#AVFC
— John Townley (@johntownley11) September 1, 2026

While Champions League squads have been set in stone, certain circumstances do allow changes to be made.

As per UEFA's website, under "exceptional" circumstances, such as a player being injured or ill for longer than 60 days, changes to the List A squad can be made.

Of course, for Harwood-Bellis, he will have to wait to see the full extent of Maatsen's injury, but speaking after the game, Emery stated the early indication is he will be out for a "long time."

Unai Emery fears that Ian Maatsen could be sidelined for a "long time" and insists that James McAtee should have been sent off for his foul.#AVFC https://t.co/WhZLzqexw0
— John Townley (@johntownley11) September 12, 2026

Of course, the Villa centre-back will be hoping his teammate's prognosis is better than it first seems.

But, if not he will potentially stand to benefit.

Unai Emery told to 'withdraw his comment' on Aston Villa controversy vs Nottingham Forest

Why Harwood-Bellis can shine for Aston Villa in Europe

Making the jump from the Championship to the Champions League in just one season is not an easy one to make, but Harwood-Bellis has the quality to do so.

In the English second-tier, the centre-back had a 60 per cent duel success rate for Southampton as per Sofascore.

Additionally, he had a 58 per cent success in aerial duels alone last campaign.

There is a reason Aston Villa looked to sign the Englishman this season, and those aerial qualities would have been a boost against Club Brugge.

The Villans were poor in the air, winning just five of 19 aerial battles against the Belgian side.

Harwood-Bellis may yet get his chance to shine on the biggest stage in European football.

Unai Emery