Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Signing off their Europa League group stage adventure on Thursday night, Aston Villa will welcome Salzburg to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, putting in another stellar performance over the weekend as they secured an eye-catching 2-0 victory away at Newcastle, Aston Villa have embarked on a public fairytale this season. Along with sitting in bronze medal position among England’s elite, Unai Emery’s men also suddenly find themselves just four points adrift of top spot. Likewise, securing a 1-0 win away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce last weekend, the former PSG boss has his sights set on mounting a genuine European charge over the coming months. Widely regarded as a standout Europa League contender in 2026, Aston Villa have already cruise their way to a knockout stage ticket. In fact, Emery’s side have won six of their seven European appearances this season and they will be confident of signing off their group stage adventure with another flurry.
Aston Villa Team News
Undergoing knee surgery earlier in the month, Aston Villa are expected to be without French midfielder Boubacar Kamara for the remainder of the campaign. Likewise, suffering his own respective knee injury against Everton on January 18th, skipper John McGinn won’t feature on Thursday night.
However, recently returning from a muscle issue, Belgium international Amadou Onana will get more minutes under his belt. Returning from a brief loan stint with Italian heavyweights Roma last week, ex-Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey could be handed a start in the Midlands.
Salzburg
As for the visitors, while Salzburg might have put in a rampant performance last week as they secured a 3-1 victory at home against Basel, the Red Bulls are seeking a major European miracle on Thursday night. Travelling over to the Midlands for their group stage finale sat two points adrift of the play-off places, Thomas Letsch’s side couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge in midweek. Pencilled in as a real underdog on foreign soil, Salzburg have also gained a reputation for their glaring European issues away from the Red Bull Arena. Including a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Bologna on November 27th, Letsch’s camp have lost each of their three Europa League showdowns on the road by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Salzburg Team News
Both dealing with respective knee injuries, Salzburg will travel to the Midlands on Thursday night without the duo of Takumu Kawamura and Swedish starlet John Mellberg. However, recently returning from a minor muscle issue, summer recruit and ex-Borussia Monchengladbach defender Stefan Lainer.
Bagging a Europa League brace against Basel last week and making a real impact since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen back in July, 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic will play a leading role in attack. One-time Brentford midfielder Mads Bidstrup will feature at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Salzburg Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in the Midlands will be the first meeting between Aston Villa and Salzburg.
- Aston Villa have won six of their seven Europa League appearances this season.
- Salzburg have lost each of their three Europa League showdowns on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 7-1.
- Despite falling to a shock 1-0 loss against Everton earlier in the month, Emery’s side have won each of their other 11 matchups at Villa Park.
- Salzburg have recorded just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
Conclusion
Already storming their way to a Europa League knockout stage ticket, Aston Villa will simply be looking to lay down another European marker here. Snatching a stellar 1-0 victory away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce last week, Emery’s men are rightfully installed as a standout contender when they return to the Midlands. With Salzburg losing each of their three Europa League showdowns on foreign soil by an aggregate score of 7-1, the English high-flyers will be smelling a golden opportunity on Thursday night.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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