Ajax vs Aston Villa Predictions, Tips and Odds: Europa Conference League last 16 showdown
It’s a battle between two former European champions when Ajax and Aston Villa meet in the Europa Conference League last 16.
Ajax vs Aston Villa predictions
Ajax vs Aston Villa: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Bookmaker odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 4/7 by Midnite |
| Correct Score | Ajax 1-1 Aston Villa | 8/1 by Star Sports |
| First Goalscorer | Steven Berghuis | 14/1 by Bet365 |
The stats behind our Ajax vs Aston Villa predictions:
- Aston Villa have conceded in six of their last seven games across all competitions.
- Ajax have failed to win the first leg of any of their last four knockout ties in major European competition.
- Steven Berghuis scored home and away in the Europa Conference League knockout round playoffs.
Fallen European giants
There are some big names in the 2023/24 Europa Conference League last 16, with two previous winners of the European Cup/Champions League. That pair meet in the last 16, with five European Cup wins between Ajax and Aston Villa.
Ajax hold four of those, last winning the trophy in 1995, having also enjoyed success in three consecutive seasons between 1971 and 1973. But it’s been a bit of a fall from grace for Ajax, particularly this season. Having finished third in the Eredivisie last season, Ajax had to make do with a spot in the Europa League play-off round. There they did beat Ludogorets on aggregate, to seal a group stage spot, but that coincided with their poor start to the season.
As a result, Ajax finished third and dropped down into the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs, where they beat Bodo/Glimt 4-3 on aggregate, with the second leg going to extra-time. Having also won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1986/87 and the UEFA Cup in 1991/92, Ajax are looking to become the first ever club to win the four main European competitions.
We’re now 42 years on from Aston Villa’s sole success in Europe, though fans do like to remind other big clubs of their European Cup from 1982. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Villa were regulars in European tournaments, mostly the UEFA Cup or Intertoto Cup, before suffering a down period which saw them relegated to the Championship. Last season, a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League secured Villa’s return to European football for the first time in 13 years.
Villa entered the Europa Conference League at the play-off round and beat Hibernian 8-0 on aggregate to secure their group stage place. The group stage got off to the worst possible start, as Villa lost 3-2 to Legia Warsaw, but Villa won their next four and drew the last game to finish one point clear at the top of their group. That allowed Unai Emery’s side to skip the knockout round play-offs, returning to action with the last 16.
Ajax vs Aston Villa match tip
Steven Berghuis to score anytime @ 7/2 by Sky Bet
All eyes will be on the Aston Villa attack this week, and likely Ollie Watkins. However, in Steven Berghuis, Ajax have a danger man of their own. The Dutchman has been directly involved in five goals in his seven appearances in the Europa League and Europa Conference League this season, scoring three and providing two assists. He also scored home and away in the knockout round play-offs against Bodo/Glimt last time out.
Ajax vs Aston Villa odds
Although Ajax have improved from the team that dropped out of the Europa League earlier this season, Aston Villa are still odds on favourites. Unai Emery has history with the Europa League that will boost Villa’s chances, winning the competition four times as a manager, three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal.
Ajax vs Aston Villa team news
Ajax team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Remko Pasveer, Josip Sutalo, Gaston Avila, Steven Bergwijn | Steven Berghuis |
Steven Berghuis is a doubt for Ajax, having missed the last three games through injury, but there is hope that he will make it for Thursday’s game. Steven Bergwijn misses the game against Villa through injury, however.
Top Scorer: Chuba Akpom, Steven Berghuis, Kenneth Taylor (3)
Card Magnet: Devyne Rensch, Josip Sutalo, Brian Brobbey, Jorrel Hato (2)
Assist Ace: Kristian Hlynsson, Steven Berghuis (2)
Aston Villa team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Jhon Duran, Diego Carlos, Jacob Ramsey, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Boubacar Kamara | – |
Diego Carlos isn’t expected back from his injury until after the international break, Aston Villa are still waiting to see the extent of Jacob Ramsey’s injury.
Top Scorer: Ollie Watkins, John McGinn (2)
Card Magnet: Moussa Diaby, Nicolo Zaniolo, John McGinn (2)
Assist Ace: Douglas Luiz, Leon Bailey, John McGinn (2)
How to watch Ajax vs Aston Villa Live
Ajax vs Aston Villa takes place on Thursday 7th March at 5:45pm and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3.
Ajax vs Aston Villa head-to-head
- 23 October 2008 – Aston Villa 2-1 Ajax – UEFA Cup
These two sides have only met once before, in the 2008 UEFA Cup group stage, when teams faced each other just once. Aston Villa were the winners that day, thanks to goals from Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry. Thomas Vermaelen scored for Ajax.
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