Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 59/90
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Aston Villa resume their Europa Conference League campaign on Thursday evening as they face Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Villa advanced to this stage of the competition by winning Group E before Christmas. On the other hand, Ajax secured their place in the last 16 through a dramatic play-off tie against Bodo/Glimt last month.
Ajax
Despite AZ Alkmaar sitting four points above Ajax in the Eredivisie table, it may not necessarily serve as a definitive measuring stick, as Ajax have demonstrated their unpredictability, which can be both a strength and a weakness.
Ajax endured a challenging period, going 16 matches without a clean sheet and registering only one win in their last six outings. Consequently, they were considered underdogs by some when facing in-form FC Utrecht over the weekend.
However, Ajax responded impressively with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over a potential candidate for fifth place. This result has propelled John Van’t Schip’s side back into contention for the fourth place in the Dutch top flight.
In the Europa Conference League, Ajax overcame Bodo/Glimt in dramatic circumstances during the playoff round. They scored two stoppage-time goals to draw 2-2 in the first leg before securing a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in Norway, with a goal six minutes from the end of extra time.
Team News
Van’t Schip faces a decision regarding whether to stick with the unfamiliar defensive 5-4-1 formation that proved effective against FC Utrecht over the weekend.
In midfield, Jordan Henderson made a return, potentially displacing more attack-minded players like Carlos Forbs and Chuba Akpom, who found themselves among the substitutes.
Both Forbs and Akpom are contenders for a return to the starting lineup. However, injury sidelines Steven Bergwijn, while Josip Sutalo serves a suspension.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s priorities may have shifted over the course of this season, with Aston Villa initially looking like surprise contenders for the Premier League title for a while, before dropping off the pace.
Nevertheless, the West Midlands outfit remains firmly in contention to win a European trophy and secure qualification for the 2024/25 Champions League that way.
Recent consecutive Premier League victories over Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Luton Town have propelled Villa into a five-point lead over Tottenham Hotspur in the race for fourth position. However, ahead of this game, Villa have managed just one clean sheet in their last seven attempts, with that shutout coming against struggling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
In their journey to this stage of the competition, Emery’s team successfully navigated a group that included Legia Warsaw and Zrinjski Mostar, as well as overcoming Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in both home and away fixtures.
Team News
With Jacob Ramsey sustaining an injury against Luton at the weekend, Moussa Diaby may be brought back into the Villa starting lineup, either on the left flank or in a position close to striker Ollie Watkins through the middle.
Also, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne could be considered for a return to the defence, potentially replacing Clement Lenglet and Alex Moreno, respectively.
Conclusion
With Ajax finally keeping a clean sheet over the weekend, Villa will need to show more respect to their opponents, who appear to be experiencing an upturn in fortunes. However, Villa do seem like a more cohesive unit, and they could secure a share of the spoils in Amsterdam, a promising result going into the second leg at Villa Park.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 59/90
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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