Prediction: Aston Villa vs AZ Alkmaar

Verdict: Aston Villa win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Excited to turn their attention back to Europa Conference League duties on Thursday night, Aston Villa will welcome AZ Alkmaar to the Midlands.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity over the weekend, Aston Villa will certainly be seeking an immediate response here. Eventually slumping to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest, Unai Emery’s men should be excited to turn their attention back to European duties here. Despite watching their seven-match unbeaten run come to an abrupt end at the City Ground last time out, Villa should still find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Gaining a string of plaudits since appointing the former Arsenal boss last year, Thursday’s hosts have also gained a fearsome reputation for their success at Villa Park. Including a 4-1 romp against West Ham on October 22nd, Emery’s men have won each of their last four home fixtures by an aggregate score of 14-3.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Aston Villa will once again be without the trio of Emi Buendia, Tyronne Mings and Kortney Hause. Likewise, 23-year-old Jacob Ramsey remains on the sidelines with a recent knock.

While attacking talisman Ollie Watkins might have failed to find the net in back-to-back appearances over the past week, the England international will spearhead Emery’s charge on Thursday night. The ex-Brentford striker will be joined in the final third by summer recruit Moussa Diaby.

AZ Alkmaar

As for the visitors, although AZ Alkmaar might have opened up their Europa Conference League adventure with their sights set on punching another knockout stage ticket, the Cheese Farmers appear to be facing a real uphill battle. While Pascal Jansen’s men might have been looking to make a heavyweight statement a fortnight ago when they welcomed Villa to the AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar put in a nightmare performance on home soil. Slumping to a 4-1 drumming, AZ also failed to pick up any real momentum over the weekend. Forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Excelsior, Jansen’s men find themselves tipped as a landslide underdog here. Likewise, mustering just a single victory from any of their last five Conference League appearances on foreign soil within 90 minutes, Alkmaar should be bracing themselves for a stern examination in midweek.

Team News

Not making a single appearance since the end of August and still dealing with a long-term foot injury, AZ Alkmaar will once again be without the services of 25-year-old Mees de Wit on Thursday night. However, despite serving a European suspension against Villa a fortnight ago, Mayckel Lahdo will return to Jansen’s squad here.

Enjoying what has been a hugely impressive start to the new campaign and already bagging 14 strikes across all competitions, the red-hot Vangelis Pavlidis will certainly have a key role to play in the Midlands.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Europa Conference League showdown a fortnight ago, Aston Villa stormed their way to a 4-1 romp.
• Likewise, Emery’s side have won each of their previous four showdowns at Villa Park by an aggregate score of 14-3.
• AZ Alkmaar have managed to win just one of their previous five European contests on foreign soil within 90 minutes.
• However, attacking talisman Vangelis Pavlidis has notched 14 strikes across all competitions so far this season.
• Aston Villa have suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since back on February 18th.

Conclusion

Eventually slumping to a disappointing 2-0 loss away at Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Aston Villa will be excited to turn their attention back to European duties here. Storming their way to a thumping 4-1 victory hen they travelled to Alkmaar a fortnight ago, Emery’s men have also continued to gain a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances on home soil. Winning each of their previous four showdowns in the Midlands by an aggregate score of 14-3, we are backing what could be another enjoyable home win here.

Verdict: Aston Villa win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 9/4

Bookmaker: Dachbet