Aston Villa will look to return to winning ways in the Europa League on Thursday night as they welcome Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv to Villa Park.
Aston Villa made an impressive start to their Europa League campaign, winning 1-0 at home to Bologna before going to De Kuip and defeating Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord 0-2.
However, Unai Emery’s men didn’t enjoy their next trip to the Netherlands on MD3, as they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat against KNVB Cup winners the Go Ahead Eagles.
Villa also saw their four-match winning run and six-game unbeaten run in the Premier League come to an end on Saturday night, as they suffered more Anfield misery, losing 2-0 to Liverpool.
Maccabi Tel Aviv began their Europa League league phase campaign with a decent point away at PAOK, but have since gone on to lose each of their next two games at ‘home’.
Zarko Lazetic’s visitors were beaten 1-3 against Dinamo Zagreb and then 0-3 by Midtjylland, leaving them in 32nd position in the table.
The reigning Israeli Premier League champions do remain unbeaten domestically (W7-D2-L0), but they remain a point behind leaders Hapoel Beer Sheva.
How the bookies view it: Villa clear favourites
Aston Villa are expected to bounce back from their defeat at the Go Ahead Eagles on MD3, with BOYLE Sports pricing a home success at just 1/5.
The same firm has the Israeli champions at a massive 10/1 to leave Villa Park with all three points, whilst the draw is also unfancied at 5/1.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Thursday night will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
Players to watch: Watkins to break his duct?
Ollie Watkins has endured a really poor start to the season, as he has scored just once this season for Aston Villa, as well as missing a penalty in their Europa League opener against Bologna.
However, this could be the perfect opportunity for the England international to build some much-needed confidence, and he is priced at 4/5 at Bet365 to end his six-game goalscoring drought.
Predicted line-ups:
Unai Emery will be unable to call upon Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia, Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia through injury, whilst Ross Barkley is ineligible.
Maccabi Tel Aviv appear to have a full strength team for their visit to Villa Park.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Onana, Guessand, Rogers, Sancho, Watkins
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Mishpati, Asante, Camara, Shlomo, Davida, Andrade, Sissokho, Noy, Revivo, Madmon, Peretz
Anything else catch the eye?
Aston Villa suffered a surprise defeat last time out against the Go Ahead Eagles, but I fully expect them to return to winning ways against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night.
Unai Emery’s hosts have five of their last seven matches in all competitions, with four of those victories featuring fewer than four goals, and a repeat pays an appealing 23/20 at BOYLE Sports.
Both of Villa’s wins in the Europa League have seen them keep clean sheets – and given the visitors have scored a solitary strike across their last four continental clashes – I’m also happy to back Aston Villa to Win to Nil, which pays 20/21 at BOYLE Sports.
GambleAware