Aston Villa will look to maintain their 100% start to their Europa League campaign as they travel to Deventer to take on the Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday evening.
Aston Villa have made a perfect start to their Europa League campaign, defeating Bologna 1-0 at Villa Park in their group opener, before going to De Kuip and defeating Eredivisie leaders Feyenoord 0-2 on an evening where The Betting Desk’s selection landed.
However, Unai Emery’s men endured a far more challenging start to their Premier League campaign, as his side were winless in each of their opening five matches (W0-D3-L2), failing to even score a goal in any of their first four.
The Spaniard has turned that poor start around, winning each of their next three Premier League games, with the latest of those a 1-2 success in North London against Spurs on Sunday.
The Go Ahead Eagles were guilty of missing a plethora of chances in their Europa League opener, as they lost 0-1 at home to reigning Romanian champions FCSB.
However, Melvin Boel’s men claimed an impressive victory on MD2, as they came from a goal down to win in Athens against Panathinaikos.
The Eagles have had an inconsistent start to their Eredivisie campaign, picking up just 10 points from their opening nine matches (W2-D4-L4), losing 2-1 away at champions PSV at the weekend.
How the bookies view it: Villa favourites
The bookies are expecting Aston Villa to make it three wins from three in the Europa League this term, with BoyleSports pricing an away success at just 4/9.
Go Ahead Eagles are 4/1 to record successive wins in this competition, whilst the draw is 10/3.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
Unsurprisingly, this is the first-ever meeting between these two clubs.
Players to watch: Buendia to bag again?
Emi Buendia has been in fine form for Aston Villa in recent weeks, scoring three goals in his last four appearances for Aston Villa, including the opener at Feyenoord on MD2.
The Argentinian has also provided an assist in that four-game spell, meaning the 13/10 on offer at PaddyPower for him to Score or Assist here appeals to me.
Predicted line-ups:
Go Ahead Eagles will be without the injured trio of Victor Edvardsen, Soren Tengstedt and Pim Saathof.
Unai Emery is expected to be without Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia through injury once again, whilst Tyrone Mings is a doubt.
Go Ahead Eagles: De Busser, Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, James, Breum, Meulensteen, Linthorst, Suray, Smit, Margaret
Aston Villa: Bizot, Cash, Lindelof, Konsa, Maatsen, Kamara, McGinn, Buendia, Malen, Rogers, Watkins
Anything else catch the eye?
After a tough start to the campaign, Unai Emery’s men have seemed to turn a corner, winning each of their last five matches in all competitions.
That includes a 0-2 win away at Eredivisie leaders in their last continental clash, and they should prove far too strong for a Go Ahead Eagles side currently sitting in 12th position in the Dutch top flight.
Each of Villa’s last four victories have seen them score twice, and the 7/10 on offer for them to Win & to Score Over 1.5 Goals appeals to me here.
GambleAware