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Aston Villa vs. Ajax Prediction & Betting Tips

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      Overview

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          Aston Villa vs. Ajax Prediction & Betting Tips

          In the tapestry of European football, few fixtures capture the imagination quite like the upcoming clash between Aston Villa and Ajax in the Europa Conference League. This match, set against the backdrop of Villa Park, is not merely a contest for a spot in the competition's latter stages but a narrative-rich encounter that pits tradition against ambition and a storied past.

          Date: 14/03/2024

          Kick-off time: 20:00

          Location: Villa Park

          Aston Villa's transformation under Unai Emery has been one of the Premier League's standout stories this season. Currently sitting at an impressive 4th place with 55 points, Villa's campaign has been marked by tactical discipline, a newfound resilience, and moments of brilliance that have seen them exceed expectations. Their journey in the Europa Conference League mirrors their domestic form, with Villa seeking to etch their name into the annals of European football by reaching the competition's final stages, a feat not achieved since the 1997-98 season when they were beaten 2-3 on aggregate against Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Cup.

          Despite battling injuries to key players, Villa's squad depth has been a testament to their strength and adaptability. Emiliano Martínez, Pau Torres, Douglas Luiz, and Ollie Watkins have been instrumental in Villa's campaign, showcasing the blend of experience and burgeoning talent at Emery's disposal. The goalless draw in Amsterdam, though seen as a missed opportunity, sets the stage for a decisive second leg at home, where Villa has won all four of their matches in this competition this season.

          Ajax's current season can be characterised as a period of transition, marked by managerial changes and uncharacteristic league performances that have seen them placed 5th in the Eredivisie. The Amsterdam-based club, renowned for its footballing philosophy and history of nurturing exceptional talent, have found the current campaign challenging, with an early battle against relegation giving way to a steadier ship under John van 't Schip's guidance.

          The talent within the squad, exemplified by striker Brian Brobbey and defender Jorrel Hato, highlights Ajax's continued prowess in player development. Hato, in particular, has attracted attention from across Europe, signalling Ajax's ability to compete at the highest levels despite the season's difficulties. Their participation in the Europa Conference League represents a new frontier, with Ajax aiming to add this trophy to their illustrious cabinet, which would see them become the first club to achieve the unique feat of winning all three of Europe's major competitions - the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League.

          The first leg's stalemate leaves the tie delicately balanced. Villa, under Emery's astute tactical planning, will look to exploit their home advantage and press for the goals that eluded them in Amsterdam. The emphasis will likely be on maintaining a solid defensive foundation while leveraging the goal-scoring instincts of Watkins.

          Ajax, conversant with the pressures of European competition, will not only seek to navigate Villa's threats but also impose their own game plan. Van 't Schip's side will rely on the pace and precision of Brobbey and the defensive acumen of Hato to secure a crucial away result.

          For Aston Villa, victory here would signal a step towards reclaiming their place among Europe's elite, while for Ajax, it offers a chance to reaffirm their status as one of the continent's most illustrious clubs.

          Ollie Watkins To Score Anytime

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          Ollie Watkins To Score Anytime @ 1/1
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          Both Teams To Score

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          A Goal In Both Halves

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          Team News

          Aston Villa Team News:

          Villa will be without defender Ezri Konsa who was sent off in the latter stages of the first leg in Amsterdam, so either Diego Carlos or Clément Lenglet will deputise in his absence.

          Emiliano Buendía, Boubacar Kamara, Tyrone Mings Jhon Durán and Jacob Ramsey will all miss out through injury.

          Ajax Team News:

          Ajax will be without Josip Sutalo and Steven Berghuis, who both remain on the treatment table, while Gaston Avila and Steven Bergwijn are both major doubts.

          Tristan Gooijer will also be unavailable through suspension after his red card in the first leg, so Anton Gaaei will likely fill in for him at right wing-back.

          Form Guide (Last Five Games)

          Aston Villa's form has been solid of late as they enter this game having won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games. Villa are coming off the back of a fairly dismal result having been battered 0-4 at home against Tottenham Hotspur in what was a fairly sorry performance.

          It would be putting it lightly to suggest that game was poor preparation for what is a huge game here, and after being so strong at home all season they've now lost four of their last five games at Villa Park in all competitions.

          Villa have still claimed some good results in recent weeks, with a 3-2 win away at Luton Town and a 2-1 win away at Fulham a pair of results that aren't easy to come by in the Premier League

          Ajax are in fairly mediocre form themselves having won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five games. At the weekend, Ajax were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Fortuna Sittard that required Brian Brobbey to rescue a point in the 88th minute with an equaliser after Kenneth Taylor had put the Dutch side ahead early in the second half.

          Away from home, Ajax have been a mixed bag of late having won three and lost two of their last five games on the road.

          Footy Accumulators Prediction

          Ajax have been largely so poor this season and have shown little to suggest they're capable of winning away at a good quality opponent, despite how they performed in the first leg of this tie. Ajax were very lucky to beat Bodø/Glimt away from home in the last round and should have been put to bed by the Norwegians, so even in spite of their poor performances in their last couple of games Aston Villa should come out on top in this one. Not that it won't be a competitive game, but Villa should be good enough to avoid messing this one up. We predict: Aston Villa 2-1 Ajax.

          Don’t forget to check out the rest of our previews, tips and offers for this weekend’s action. Footy Accumulators is the #1 football betting site for the latest on betting in the UK - download the Betting Hub app for more!

          Header logoPremier League

          PosClubPWDLGDPTS
          3
          Team logoLiverpool
          3824104+4582
          4
          Team logoAston Villa
          3820810+1568
          5
          Team logoTottenham
          3820612+1366
          Last updated 12/11/2024

          Header logoDutch Eredivisie

          PosClubPWDLGDPTS
          4
          Team logoAZ
          341987+3165
          5
          Team logoAjax
          3415118+1356
          6
          Team logoNEC
          3414119+1753
          Last updated 12/11/2024

          Where To Watch

          TNT Sports 2 will air the game live to all subscribed U.K. viewers while full radio coverage will be provided on BBC Radio WM the talkSPORT app.

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