Prediction: Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what will be a famous night from the Midlands on Wednesday, Aston Villa will welcome German giants Bayer Munich to town.

Aston Villa

Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have been left frustrated over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate away at Premier League returners Ipswich, Unai Emery’s men should take plenty of positives away from another bright start to proceedings. Making real history last season as they secured a sensational Champions League ticket, the former Arsenal boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits from across the continent. Getting their iconic European adventure underway with a stellar 3-0 romp away at Swiss outfit Young Boys earlier in the month, Villa will be relishing what will be a famous night in the Midlands here. However, facing what will certainly be a heavyweight challenge on home soil, Emery will have a headache over his side’s extended issues at the back. In fact, the Villains have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous six matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Aston Villa have already confirmed that Scotland international John McGinn will miss out on Wednesday night as the ex-Hibernian midfielder deals with a thigh injury. Likewise, while the duo of Boubacar Kamara and Tyronne Mings might be inching towards a return following respective long-term knee injuries, neither will feature here.

Once again getting on the scoresheet away at Ipswich over the weekend and now notching four goals in as many appearances, Ollie Watkins will lead Emery’s charge. Arriving from Everton this summer, Amadou Onana will partner Youri Tielemans in the middle of the park.

Bayern Munich

Starting with the hosts, while many around the Allianz might have been left stunned over the summer as Bayern Munich appointed former Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, the German giants are certainly enjoying life under the ex-Manchester City skipper. Although the Bavarians might have dropped their first points of the season over the weekend as they had to played out a 1-1 stalemate at home against defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, Munich have continued to impress. Getting their European adventure underway at the Allianz on September 17th as they secured a record-breaking 9-2 win against Dinamo Zagreb, Bayern have certainly gained plenty of plaudits for their free-scoring performances in the final third. In fact, Wednesday’s guests have registered 29 goals across all competitions from their first seven appearances.

Team News

In what could be a huge blow for Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, Kompany’s side have confirmed that Harry Kane sustained an ankle injury against Bayer Leverkusen over the weekend and is seen as a real doubt here. Likewise, still dealing with a knee issue, former Galatasaray defender Sacha Boey will not feature at Villa Park.

Despite announcing his international retirement over the summer, Thomas Muller could make a first start of the season in midweek. Enjoying what has been a recent resurge under Kompany, Min-Jae Kim should partner Dayot Upamecano at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• Aston Villa have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Likewise, Bayern Munich have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last four appearances.
• The German giants have remarkably recorded 29 goals from their first seven competitive matchups across all competitions.
• Aston Villa have failed to record a single clean sheet in front of their own supporters since the end of March.
• Bayern Munich have won their first three Bundesliga appearances away from the Allianz by an aggregate score of 14-3.

Conclusion

While Aston Villa might be relishing what is a famous European showdown at Villa Park on Wednesday night, Emery’s camp will have a heavyweight challenge on their hands here. Eventually forced to settle for an action-packed 2-2 stalemate away at Premier League returners Ipswich over the weekend, they will meet a Bayern Munich squad that put nine past Dinamo Zagreb in their opening Champions League battle. Likewise, with the German giants mustering a remarkable 29 goals from their first seven matchups across all formats, chances could come thick and fast in the Midlands.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet