Big night in store at Villa Park with Bayern Munich in town

UEFA Champions League football continues in the early hours of Thursday morning with a number of title contenders preparing for their second games of the tournament.

Real Madrid at 4.00 in the outright market, Bayern Munich at 11.00 and 13.00 shots Liverpool are all in action, on what should be another thrilling night in this new-look league phase of the UEFA Champions League.

Villa set for special night

. What: Aston Villa v Bayern Munich
. Where: Villa Park, Birmingham
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Thursday 3rd October
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Aston Villa 4.10, Draw 4.10, Bayern Munich 1.75

Aston Villa enjoyed a special first night in the UEFA Champions League with a 3-0 win in Switzerland against Young Boys and now all eyes are on Villa Park for a mouth-watering home clash against Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich.

While there’s been upheaval surrounding the ticket prices for those lucky enough to be at Villa Park for this game, the focus is now very much on the football.

Villa head into this game on the back of a frustrating 2-2 draw at Ipswich Town which denied Unai Emery’s side the chance to go top of the Premier League table.

Bayern also go into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw against reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at Allianz Arena.

With all their European experience, Bayern are understandably 1.75 favourites for Thursday’s game but Villa certainly can’t be discounted at 4.10 for what would be a memorable win.

Reigning champs head to France

. What: Lille v Real Madrid
. Where: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve d'Ascq
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Thursday 3rd October
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Lille 5.50, Draw 4.20, Real Madrid 1.57

After the disappointment of dropping points to a late goal against Atletico Madrid last time out, Real Madrid will be looking to get back to winning ways at Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the UEFA Champions League.

Angel Correa scored a 90th-minute equaliser in the Madrid derby to see the score finish 1-1 at the Estadio Metropolitano.

A disappointing result for Real as they fell three points behind rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race but Thursday offers a chance to get back in the saddle.

Real are 1.57 to overcome Lille, while striker Kylian Mbappe is available at 2.10 in the anytime scorer market after bagging a goal in the 3-1 win over Stuttgart in their opening UEFA Champions League game of the season.

Reds must build on San Siro heroics

. What: Liverpool v Bologna
. Where: Anfield, Liverpool
. When: 05:00 (AEST), Thursday 3rd October
. How to watch: Stan Sport
. Odds: Liverpool 1.20, Draw 6.50, Bologna 15.00

Having earned a 3-1 win at AC Milan in their opening game of this season’s UEFA Champions League, Liverpool boss Arne Slot will get his first taste of a European night at Anfield, with Bologna the visitors.

Winning all of their last four games in all competitions, Liverpool are understandably the 1.20 favourites to claim all three points in this one.

With just one win in seven games in all competitions this season, Bologna have been the draw specialists, with five stalemates so far this term.

Bologna are 6.50 to grind out another draw on Thursday, while a shock win at Anfield is out at 15.00.