Aston Villa: King cannot believe what he saw from Ajax ahead of Conference League clash
Aston Villa will not be “quaking in their boots” ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with Ajax on Thursday (7 March).
That is according to former Villa Park scout Bryan King after the two clubs were drawn against each other in the round of 16 of the competition.
Ajax needed a play-off win against Bodo Glimt to reach the last 16, overcoming the Norwegian club 4-3 on aggregate after two legs.
Speaking to Villa News, King said: “They should beat Ajax. I watched the two games Ajax played against Bodo/Glimt, and they were so lucky you can’t believe it.
“And remember, Bodo/Glimt played two matches against Ajax when they hadn’t played a competitive match since December.
“Ajax are not the threat they used to be, they’re the name, but not the team they used to be. I’d be very surprised if Aston Villa lose to Ajax.
“It’s a good tie of course, but there have been many good European ties at Aston Villa. The way Ajax are at the moment, they are not a force. They aren’t going to win the Dutch league, which is a rarity.
“It’s Villa versus Ajax, on paper it sounds a great fixture. It probably will be, but I can’t see Villa quaking in their boots.”
Aston Villa to ease past Ajax in the Europa Conference League?
It is certainly an exciting tie for the Midlands club, regardless of the situation regarding their upcoming opponents.
Ajax are a huge name in terms of European football, and they should still represent a tough challenge to Unai Emery and his players.
Villa will, however, be very confident going into the two-legged tie, having topped Group E with four wins, one draw and one loss.
In other Aston Villa news, one player is now unsellable after a recent 97% display that left Manchester City star Jack Grealish wowed.
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