Aston Villa have won both European matches this season without conceding a single goal. On Thursday they will take on Dutch opposition and try to make it three.
Villa took all six points from a home match against Bologna and an away match against Feyenoord, the latter of which contributed to the club’s excellent competitive record against opponents from the Netherlands.
They won five of the six matches against Feyenoord, Ajax and AZ, while drawing the others. Manager Unai Emery expects more of the same in the club’s first meeting with Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League on Thursday.
‘It’s a battle’
Go Ahead Eagles manager Melvin Boel has no desire to make life easy for Villa on Thursday.
The 38-year-old followed an unusual path in European football. He had to stop playing at the age of 16 and instead studied business administration. After a serious car accident in 2010, he reflected on his priorities and chose to return to football through a one-year internship at Feyenoord.
Boel promised Villa a difficult evening in the Europa League.
“As soon as you step on the field, it’s a battle,” he said John Townley. “We will also try to do that tomorrow evening. There is an English team coming, so everyone is looking forward to the match.”
“The people in the stadium work hard all week to earn a living. That is also something we want to radiate on the field. That is also a bit English.”
Villa team news
Ollie Watkins is in line for a start in Deventer after coming on as a substitute in Sunday’s Premier League win against Spurs. Emi Buendía also came off the bench and there was a start in London for Amadou Onana.
Jadon Sancho was back among the substitutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he returned from illness, but Tyrone Mings remained unavailable due to injury.
It was believed Mings was set to return and could be appointed to the bench in the Netherlands on Thursday.
Youri Tielemans is expected to be absent until after the next international match. Right back Andrés García is also injured.
Villa predicted the line-up against Go Ahead Eagles
With more players available for Emery and two Europa League wins under his belt already, I’m going to back some big shots in our predicted starting XI.
Firstly, after a phenomenal performance following a late call-up against Feyenoord in Rotterdam, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Marco Bizot came on for goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. It’s only fair.
Elsewhere, I have assumed that John McGinn will be rested rather than starting three games in eight days, allowing Emery to play both Lamare Bogarde and Evann Guessand in a match that might suit them, without leaving Boubacar Kamara on the bench.
Ian Maatsen would have a chance either way, but Lucas Digne’s fresh cut on the ankle is also likely to be a factor in Emery’s team selection.
Where can you watch Go Ahead Eagles v Villa?
Villa’s away match against Go Ahead Eagles will be broadcast live TNT Sports 1 And Discovery+ in Great Britain.
Read more ➡️ How to watch Go Ahead Eagles v Aston Villa: showtimes, TV channels and streams
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