SC Freiburg vs Aston Villa: Prediction & Best Bets

The Europa League final on Wednesday presents a huge opportunity for Aston Villa to end their long-awaited trophy drought, which spans back to 1996, when they won the League Cup against Leeds United. The Villains are also chasing their first European triumph since 1982, and a Europa League victory will cement Unai Emery as one of the best managers of his generation.

Aston Villa face an SC Freiburg side that has qualified for a UEFA Conference League spot through their seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga, so a win here would guarantee Champions League football for Freiburg. The German side faced the likes of Sporting Braga, Celta Vigo and Genk on route to Istanbul.

As for the Villains, they have secured Champions League football following their 4-2 win against Liverpool in the Premier League. Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins has also been in fine form, with four goals in his last three matches, including a brace against Liverpool last Friday. The Villains are unbeaten in their last three matches and face a Freiburg side without a clean sheet in nine matches.

Ollie Watkins to Score

Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa's joint-top goalscorer in the Europa League this season with five goals. The England international striker is in good form right now, having scored four goals in his last three matches across all competitions, including a brace against Liverpool last time out.

Vincenzo Grifo to score or assist

Vincenzo Grifo has been Freiburg's chief attacking threat in the Europa League this season. The 33-year-old midfielder has nine goal contributions to his name: five goals and four assists. The Italian has created two goals and scored one in his last five appearances for Freiburg in all competitions.

Johan Manzambi 2+ Fouls won

Johan Manzambi has been fouled more times than any player in the Freiburg or Aston Villa squad in the Europa League this season. The Swiss midfielder has drawn 37 fouls in just 14 European appearances, an average of 2.42 fouls won per game.

Morgan Rogers to score or assist

England's Morgan Rogers has six goal contributions in the Europa League this season: two goals and four assists. Rogers is in good form heading into the Europa League final, having scored one goal and set up two in his last three appearances in league and cup.

Igor Matanovic 2+ Fouls

Croatian forward Igor Matanovic has committed 25 fouls during his 14 Europa League appearances this season, an average of 1.78 fouls per game. The 23-year-old has committed at least two fouls in five of his last eight games for Freiburg in all competitions.

Johan Manzambi 2+ Fouls

Nobody has taken more shots in the Europa League for Freiburg this season than Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old has taken 32 shots so far and is averaging 2.86 shots per 90 minutes. Manzambi has taken at least two shots in 10 of his last 11 appearances for club and country.

The game will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 through HBO MAX.