Ajax vs Aston Villa Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Welcome to our Ajax vs Aston Villa prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview by Matthew O’Regan ahead of a tasty-looking Europa League clash between the English and the Dutch. Can Ajax shake off what has been a disastrous season and progress in Europe?

Our Ajax vs Aston Villa prediction is for Aston Villa to win the match 1-2

Ajax vs Aston Villa Prediction, Team News, Lineups and Fixtures Preview

1. Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 1: Aston Villa -0.5, -1.0 Asian Handicap
2. Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 2: Ollie Watkins To Score
3. Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 3: Douglas Luiz to Score

In this article:

• Ajax vs Aston Villa Team News and Possible Lineups
• Ajax vs Aston Villa Match OPTA Stats
• Ajax Fixtures
• Aston Villa Fixtures
• Safer Gambling

Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 1: Outright favourites to march on

Thursday, Europa League , Thursday, 7th March 17:45 (UK)

After finishing third in the Europa League ‘group of death’, Ajax dropped down to the Conference League. Their two last 32 games against Bodø/Glimt were classics, scoring two stoppage-time goals to draw 2-2 at the Amsterdam Arena before a Kenneth Taylor goal in extra time saw Ajax prevail in Norway. However, they have been drawn against the outright favourites Aston Villa.

Aston Villa has been in fine form, with three wins on the trot helping them to a five-point lead over Tottenham Hotspur as they look to secure an unlikely top-four finish. These wins have shown Villa’s strength in attack, scoring twice against Fulham, four against Nottingham Forest and three in their dramatic win over Luton.

Villa progressed through their group comfortably, gaining 13 points from six games. Ajax, on the other hand, limped to third place in their group, winning just once – 3-1 in the final game decider against AEK Athens.

Ajax were in a Europa League group with an English team, with Brighton beating them 2-0 home and away. Aston Villa have been better than Brighton this season, so they should have no problems beating an Ajax side that sat fifth in the Eredivisie.

• Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 1: Aston Villa -0.5, -1.0 Asian Handicap
• Best Odds: 1.825
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 2: Clinical Watkins

Aston Villa have been in fine goalscoring form this season, scoring 59 goals in 27 league games, as well as 12 in six Europa Conference League group games.

Unai Emery has tended to go strong in Europe as the Spaniard looks to add to his four European trophies. Despite this, Ollie Watkins has only started three of their eight games (including qualifiers).

The 28-year-old scored a hat trick in the 0-5 win at Hibernian in qualifying, as well as scoring in both starts against AZ Alkmaar.

Watkins is also chasing the Premier League Golden Boot, with his 16 goals putting him as the second top scorer in the league. He has currently scored five in his last three, including braces away at Fulham and Luton.

Facing off against an Ajax side who have only kept one clean sheet in their last 17, Ollie Watkins will fancy his chances of adding to his impressive goal tally.

• Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 2: Ollie Watkins To Score
• Best Odds: 2.10
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 3: Laudable Luiz

Douglas Luiz is not renowned for being a goalscorer, with last season’s tally of seven the only time he has managed more than three in a season.

However, this year Luiz has taken on more responsibility, boasting nine goals in 26 Premier League starts. The 25-year-old has been encouraged to shoot more this season, averaging 1.81 shots per 90.

As mentioned, Ajax have struggled defensively, conceding 43 goals in 24 league games and 16 in eight Europa League/Europa Conference games this season.

An added caveat to this bet is that John van’t Schip’s side have conceded ten goals to central midfielders this season, including all three goals scored by Bødo/Glimt.

Luiz has scored two in his last three and is also on penalties and presents a nice price to find the back of the net on Thursday.

• Ajax vs Aston Villa Tip 3: Douglas Luiz to score
• Best Odds: 4.0
• Bookmaker: bet354
• Stake: 5/10

Ajax vs Aston Villa Prediction odds via bet365 as at 00:00, March 4, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Ajax vs Aston Villa Team News and Possible Lineups: Injury Crisis for Both

Both sides head into this game with a handful of injuries, with Ajax and Aston Villa’s squad being stretched to the limit this season.

Central defenders Gaston Avila and Josip Sutalo are injured for the match, so 21-year-old Ahmetcan Kaplan is expected to slot in the back three next to Devyne Rensch and 17-year-old sensation Jorrel Hato.

The experienced Steven Bergwijn is also injured, so the versatile Kenneth Taylor may start on the wing again.

Villa have a centre-back crisis at the moment, with Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause all injured. Pau Torres has suffered with injuries in recent weeks, but may be trusted with a start on Thursday.

Star midfielder Boubacar Kamara is also injured for the season, alongside Emiliano Buendia. Jhon Duran is injured, so Watkins should get another start.

Ajax possible starting lineup: Ramaj; Goojier, Rensch, Kaplan, Hato, Sosa; Hlynsson, Henderson, Van Den Boomen, Taylor; Brobbey

Aston Villa possible starting lineup: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Moreno; Luiz, McGinn; Bailey, Tielemans, Ramsey; Watkins

OPTA Match Stats: Stoke City no match for Ajax

• Aston Villa’s only previous meeting with Ajax in European competition came in the 2008-09 UEFA Cup  group stage, winning 2-1 at Villa Park.
• Ajax have lost each of their last six games against English opposition in European competition – all in the  group stage – whilst they have also been eliminated from each of their last six knockout ties against  English sides (including 2016-17 UEFA Europa League final), last progressing in the 1974-75 UEFA Cup first  round against Stoke City.
• Aston Villa have reached the last 16 of a major European competition for the first time since the 1997-98  UEFA Cup, when they would eventually be eliminated in the quarter-finals by Atlético de Madrid.
• Steven Berghuis has had a hand in five goals in seven appearances in major European competition this  season (3 goals, 2 assists), at least two more than any other Ajax player (excluding qualifiers). He netted in  both games against Bodø/Glimt in the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round last month.

Ajax Fixtures: Crucial games in Ajax top 4 race

• Vs Aston Villa(H)
• Vs Fortuna Sittard (H)
• Vs Aston Villa (A)
• Vs Sparta Rotterdam (A)
• Vs PEC Zwolle (A)

Aston Villa Fixtures: Two Biggest Games of the season incoming

• Vs Ajax(a)
• Vs Tottenham (H)
• Vs Ajax (H)
• Vs West Ham (A)
• Vs Wolves (H)

Safer Gambling

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