Feyenoord vs Aston Villa preview: Team news, line-ups, prediction
Aston Villa will look to make it two wins from two in the Europa League and three from three in all competitions when they play Feyenoord on Thursday.
John McGinn‘s first-half strike saw Villa beat Bologna 1-0 on 25 September, kicking off their Europa League campaign in style.
Morgan Rogers was sarcastically cheered for completing a pass by the home fans, on what was a terrible night for the 23-year-old.
But the midfielder picked up an assist as Villa beat Fulham 3-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, and will hope to continue his return to form.
Emery is expected to drop McGinn against Feyenoord, after the Scot was forced off through injury late into Sunday’s game.
Form guide
Aston Villa: DDDWW
Feyenoord: WWDLW
Team news
Villa are expected to beat Feyenoord, but they will have to do so without several key players.
Tyrone Mings was forced off in the first half against Fulham, and the Villans are still waiting to discover the extent of the defender’s absence.
McGinn was also injured, but confirmed that he should be ready for Thursday’s game. Emery, however, will likely be reluctant to risk his captain.
Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans have been unavailable for several weeks. The two are expected to return imminently, but the trip to Feyenoord could come too early.
The home side are set to be without several players themselves, with Jakub Moder, Gernot Trauner, Thomas Beelen, and Shiloh Zand all missing as Robin van Persie‘s side took on Groningen on Sunday.
Young defender Malcolm Jeng was substituted at half-time, and his manager has since confirmed that the Swede could miss Thursday’s game.
Predicted lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Maatsen, Torres, Konsa, Cash; Bogarde, Kamara; Guessand, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther; Bos, Smal, Watanabe, Read; Valente, Timber, Targhalline, Sauer, Ueda, Hadj Moussa
Score prediction: Feyenoord 1-2 Aston Villa
The going has been tough for Villa this season, but Emery’s side look to have finally turned a corner.
Feyenoord will pose a difficult test – Van Persie’s side are unbeaten in Eredivisie, having won six of their opening seven games.
But Villa’s quality in attack should see them through in Rotterdam. Ollie Watkins will be key if so, the striker having netted his first goal of the season on Sunday.
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