Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa preview: Team news, line-ups, prediction
Aston Villa could find their trip to the Netherlands in the UEFA Europa League more difficult than first anticipated on Thursday.
Villa are the favourites to win against Go Ahead Eagles on 23 October, as Unai Emery looks to extend his five-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
This comes after Villa were victorious against Tottenham in their own backyard following the international break on Sunday.
While the Villans had a difficult start to the period, Villa’s draw to Everton in September breathed life into their season.
Form guide
Aston Villa: W, W, W, W, W
Go Ahead Eagles: L, L, W, D, L
Team News
Ollie Watkins sustained a knock over the international break, but made a cameo in Villa’s win over Tottenham in the Premier League.
As a result, Watkins could start for Villa when they take on the Dutch side at the De Adelaarshorst Stadium.
Youri Tielemans has been sidelined for Villa with a calf injury and is not expected to feature in the confrontation. Meanwhile, it is unknown whether Tyrone Mings, who has been out with an ankle injury, will make an appearance on the bench.
For the Eredivisie side, forward Soren Tengstedt and defender Pim Saathof are still unavailable and were recently joined by attacker Victor Edvardsen on the sidelines.
Emery will no doubt be devising a plan to curb Go Ahead Eagles striker Milan Smit, who netted a brace in their win over Panathinaikos in the same competition.
- Read more: Dutch journalist shares what Villa fans can expect vs minnows Go Ahead Eagles in Europa League
Likey lineups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; Buendia, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins
Go Ahead Eagles: De Busser; Deijl, Nauber, Kramer, James; Maulensteen, Breum, Linthorst; Suray, Smit, Margaret
Prediction: Go Ahead Eagles 1-3 Aston Villa
Villa should expect a Go Ahead Eagles side who will be difficult to break down during the first half.
However, once the Villans net their first, the goals should keep coming. Indeed, Emery’s side have been solid in almost all facets of the game in the competition.
- Villa are yet to concede in the Europa League
- The Villans miss one big chance on average per game
- They create more than one big chance per game, though
As a result, this is a match which will feature goals. But in what will likely be a dominant display, there is the possibility that Villa could become complacent during the game and concede late on.
Therefore, a 3-1 result in favour of the away side seems fair considering all the underlying factors.
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