Ajax-Aston Villa is a match valid for the first leg of the Conference League round of 16 and is played Thursday at 6:45 p.m.: live TV, probable formations, predictions.
Surely the most fascinating, if not the most noble given the palmarès of both, of the Conference League round of 16 pairings. Ajax-Aston Villa – no less than five Champions Cups/Champions League aggregate in the two trophies – could very well have been the final of Europe’s third-largest competition and instead, in this case, will only put up a pass to the quarters.
Let’s start right away by saying that Ajax is the distant relative of the one of a few years ago. For the Lancers, clearly below expectations, it is so far a season to forget. Which could be “saved” perhaps only by bringing home a trophy, perhaps precisely the Conference League, a victory that would allow them to play at least in the Europa League next year. Yes, because the Red and White, who have already changed two coaches, are currently only fifth in the Eredivisie, -4 behind fourth-placed AZ Alkmaar. To make it to the top sixteen in this event, they had to overcome the Bodo/Glimt hurdle: after a draw in the first leg (2-2), John van’t Schip’s men took a big risk and managed to bend the hostile Norwegians in extra time in the return match (1-2), thanks to a goal by Taylor just six minutes from penalty kicks.
Wide divide
Aston Villa, on the other hand, continues to be the favorite for the final victory. There are, indeed, no more equipped teams – and with a similar investment pool – than the Villans, led, moreover, by a coach who always aims to win international cups like Unai Emery: he has already done it several times with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Won the group with Legia Warsaw, AZ Alkmaar and Zrinjski Mostar without any major problems, the Birmingham club did not have to play the play-offs, thus being able to focus exclusively on the league. In the Premier League, Aston Villa is fourth in the standings, not even far behind the three that are contending for the title (Liverpool, City and Arsenal). Three consecutive wins for McGinn and his teammates, who are nevertheless struggling in the non-possession phase, conceding at least one goal in six of their last seven games. Ajax, on the other hand, is fresh off their 2-0 success over Utrecht, their first clean sheet after 16 matches without keeping their goal unbeaten.
The Prediction
Ajax coach van’t Schip could confirm the 5-4-1 that paid off in the Eredivisie match against Utrecht. Therefore, the Lancers seem to be oriented to “denaturalize,” to adopt a more conservative attitude to avoid a possible embarkation. Nevertheless, we continue to see Aston Villa as favorites in a match in which the total goals should be at least three.
Ajax-Aston Villa
likely lineups.
AJAX (5-4-1): Ramaj; Gooijer, Rensch, Kaplan, Hato, Sosa; Hlynsson, Henderson, Mannsverk, Taylor; Brobbey.
ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Moreno; Bailey, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Tielemans; Diaby; Watkins; Watkins.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
