Verdict: Donyell Malen to score anytime
Best Odds: 27/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Europa League action on Thursday evening, Aston Villa will welcome BSC Young Boys to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have got November underway with a 2-0 loss away at Anfield, that downbeat display against Liverpool was nothing more than a minor blip. Last seen over the weekend mounting a dramatic late 2-1 victory away at Premier League newcomers Leeds, Unai Emery’s men have won each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 8-1. Likewise, heading into November’s fortnight interval with an empathic 4-0 romp at home against Bournemouth, Aston Villa have also gained a reputation for their extended success on home soil. Including a 2-0 win against Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier in the month, the one-time Arsenal boss has seen his squad win all of their last six consecutive showdowns in the Midlands by an aggregate score of 13-2.
Aston Villa Team News
Dealing with a hamstring injury prior to November’s international break, Aston Villa will once again be without skipper Tyrone Mings on Thursday evening. Enduring what has been a nightmare start to life in the Midlands, it remains to be seen if former Liverpool starlet Harvey Barnes will be included in Emery’s squad.
Opening his Europa League account against Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier in the month, Dutch international Donyell Malen could be handed a full recall. Summer recruit Evann Guessand will be hoping to get some more minutes under his belt in midweek.
BSC Young Boys
As for the visitors, completely blown away in Greece earlier in the month as they slumped to a woeful 4-0 drumming against PAOK, BSC Young Boys have a real battle on their hands in the race to book a knockout stage ticket this season. Despite securing consecutive domestic wins on either side of November’s international break, Gerardo Seoane’s men have struggled to find any real stability over recent times. Pencilled in as what is a landslide underdog when they travel to the Midlands on Thursday evening, Seoane’s side will also be concerned by their most recent showdown against the Premier League high-flyers. Slumping to a routine 3-0 defeat when they welcomed Aston Villa to the Wankdorf Stadium for a Champions League battle in September 2024, the Yellows look set for what is another monumental challenge in midweek.
BSC Young Boys Team News
Shown an early Europa League red card away at PAOK on November 6th, Bosnian international Armin Gigovic will miss out through suspension on Thursday evening. All still dealing with respective injury issues, BSC Young Boys will be unable to call upon the likes of Facinet Conte, Mats Seiler and one-time West Ham midfielder Edimilson Fernandes.
Finding the net in back-to-back domestic appearances on either side of November’s international break and recording 12 goals across all competitions so far this season, former Hull striker Chris Bedia will shoulder plenty of Seoane’s attacking threat in midweek.
Aston Villa vs BSC Young Boys Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and BSC Young Boys met for a Champions League showdown back in September 2024, Emery’s side breezed their way to a 3-0 victory on foreign soil.
- Thursday’s hosts have won all of their last six consecutive showdowns in the Midlands by an aggregate score of 13-2.
- Including a 4-0 drumming against PAOK earlier in the month, BSC Young Boys have shipped 10 goals in their first four Europa League outings.
- Thursday’s guests have seen their previous three appearances across all competitions produce 14 goals at both ends of the pitch.
- Dutch international Donyell Malen has registered four goals in as many appearances at Villa Park.
Conclusion
With their sights set on mounting a genuine Europa League charge this season, Aston Villa will be confident of making another statement here. Winning three of their first four group stage showdowns, Emery’s men are rightfully installed as a landslide favourite on Thursday evening. Likewise, winning all of their previous six consecutive matchups in the Midlands by an aggregate score of 13-2, Villa’s free-flowing attack will be confident of running rampant in midweek. With BSC Young Boys shipping 15 goals in their last five appearances away from the Wankdorf Stadium, they will certainly be asked some serious questions.
Verdict: Donyell Malen to score anytime
Best Odds: 27/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
