Prediction: BSC Young Boys vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster

Getting their iconic Champions League adventure underway on Tuesday night, Aston Villa will travel over to Switzerland when they meet BSC Young Boys.

BSC Young Boys

Starting with the hosts, while Young Boys might have made real history last season as they secured a 17th Super League crown, the Swiss heavyweights have opened the new campaign in the midst of what has become an infamous domestic rut. Getting proceedings underway on July 21st with a 2-1 loss at home against Sion, Patrick Rahmen’s side have have registered just three points from any of their first six top-flight appearances and they remarkably sit rock-bottom of the Super League standings. However, despite finding themselves at the heart of a domestic nightmare, Young Boys did pull of a real European upset last month. Storming past Turkish giants Galatasaray and booking their group stage ticket thanks to a 4-2 aggregate victory, Tuesday’s hosts will be desperately seeking a repeat display here.

Team News

Making a timely return from injury earlier in the month, number-one goalkeeper David von Ballmoos will start between the sticks on Tuesday night. However, yet to make a single appearance across any completion since opening up the new campaign, Gambia international Saidy Janko remains on the sidelines and will not feature here.

While former Bochum striker Silvere Ganvoula might have recorded three goals across all competitions so far this season, the 28-year-old could be forced to settle for a spot on the bench. Arriving from French outfit Troyes this summer, Banhie Zoukrou could should partner Mohamed Camara at the heart of Rahmen’s defence.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, gaining a string of plaudits last season as they booked an iconic top-four return, Aston Villa are in the midst of what has become quite the fairytale. Getting proceedings underway with an eye-catching 2-1 victory away at West Ham on August 17th, Unai Emery’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Collecting nine points from their first four Premier League appearances, the former Arsenal boss will be relishing a trip to Switzerland on Tuesday night. Mounting a sensational comeback at home against Everton over the weekend as they secured an action-packed 3-2 win, Aston Villa should be smelling a potential opportunity here. However, it should be noted, still looking to find some crucial defensive steel, the midweek guests have failed to collect a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 competitive appearances across all competitions.

Team News

While both Tyrone Mings and Boucacar Kamara might be inching closer to a return following on from their respective long-term knee injuries, neither will feature on Tuesday night. Likewise, still dealing with a thigh issue, Polish international Matty Cash remains on the sidelines and will not play any part over in Switzerland.

Although Jhon Duran might have came off the bench and bagged a sensational winner against Everton over the weekend, the Colombian marksmen will likely settle for a spot on the bench. Opening his Premier League account at Villa Park on Saturday evening, Ollie Watkins will lead Emery’s attack in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• Aston Villa’s trip to Switzerland on Tuesday night will be their first Champions League appearance since the 1982/83 campaign.
• Emery’s men have collected nine points from their opening four Premier League appearances this season.
• However, Villa have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 competitive matchups across all competitions.
• Young Boys have remarkably collected just three points from any of their first six Super League appearances this season.
• The Swiss giants have seen five of their last seven appearances across all competitions finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Mounting a sensational comeback against Everton over the weekend as they eventually dragged themselves to an action-packed 3-2 victory, Aston Villa will certainly be relishing a trip to Switzerland on Tuesday night. However, despite continuing on what has been a famous purple patch, Emery’s side are seeking some crucial defensive steel. In fact, the Premier League outfit have remarkably failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous 12 competitive appearances across all formats.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: Luckster