UECL: Aston Villa vs Ajax: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :March 12, 2024 at 1:55 PM

Modified at :March 12, 2024 at 1:55 PM

All to play for in the second leg

Aston Villa endured a nightmare performance in their recent outing, succumbing to a dismal 4-0 defeat against Tottenham over the weekend. Aston Villa will know the importance of claiming a crucial response here. Forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate when they travelled to Amsterdam for their first-leg showdown last week, Unai Emery’s men have been seeking some stability since opening the New Year. Eager to secure qualification for the next round, they are poised to exert maximum effort in this crucial match.

Turning to the away team, Ajax secured a first-leg 0-0 draw in Amsterdam last week. However, the renowned Dutch club have faced a challenging campaign this season, attracting significant scrutiny for their inconsistency under the management of John van’t Schip.

Struggling to maintain momentum, they were held to a 2-2 stalemate against Sittard in domestic action over the weekend. Despite progressing past Norwegian side Bodo-Glimt last month, Ajax have gained a reputation for defensive vulnerabilities. Navigating a tough battle ahead, they must deliver their best performance to advance to the next round.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 14th Mar 2024, 08:00 PM (GMT), 03:00 PM (EST)

Friday, 15th Mar 2024, 01:30 AM (IST)

Stadium: Villa Park

Form

Aston Villa Form (All Competitions): L-D-W-W-W

Ajax Form (All Competitions): D-D-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)

Douglas Luiz exhibits remarkable ball control, effortlessly gliding past defenders with finesse. His adept handling of the ball is complemented by a strong upper body, enabling him to navigate challenges successfully.

With a broad frame, he strategically shields the ball while in possession. In duels, Douglas Luiz showcases strength and resilience, emerging as a formidable force in midfield. Notably press-resistant, he employs skilful turns and flicks to outmanoeuvre opponents.

Kenneth Taylor (Ajax)

Taylor demonstrates versatility in the midfield, adept at taking up various positions. His contributions extend to both offensive and defensive aspects of the game, showcasing comfort with the ball at his feet. Notably, Taylor exhibits strong ball dominance, and his standout ability lies in maintaining composure and concealing the ball adeptly while operating under pressure.

This allows him to retain possession effectively and facilitate seamless connections between the defensive and attacking lines.

Match Facts

When Aston Villa and Ajax met for their first-leg meeting in Amsterdam last week, Thursday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has scored 16 goals in his 28 Premier League appearances this season.
Ajax currently sit in fifth place, six points outside of the top four in Eredivisie.

Injury and Team News

Despite John McGinn receiving a second-half red card against Tottenham over the weekend, the Scotland international is eligible to participate in the upcoming fixture. However, players such as Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Jhon Duran, Boubacar Kamara, and Diego Carlos remain in the recovery phase and will be unavailable for the match.

Facing a recent muscle injury, former Tottenham player Steven Bergwijn is unlikely to be included in the lineup for this match. Similarly, Gaston Avila and Steven Berghuis, both contending with knee injuries, will be absent and will not be making the journey to Villa Park on Thursday night.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 2

Ajax: 0

Aston Villa: 1

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineup for Aston Villa vs Ajax

Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (5-3-2):

Martinez(GK); Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Torres, Digne; McGinn, Luiz, Tielemans; Watkins, Bailey

Ajax Predicted Lineup (3-4-3):

Ramaj(GK); Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Gooijer, Henderson, Mannsverk, Sosa; Hlynsson, Brobbey, Taylor

Match Prediction for Aston Villa vs Ajax

After suffering a disheartening 4-0 defeat at home against Tottenham over the weekend, Aston Villa are acutely aware of the significance of bouncing back in their upcoming fixture. Despite recent struggles on home turf for Emery’s men, the hosts on Thursday remain poised to confidently advance in their Europa Conference League journey, securing victory in this match and progressing to the next round.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Ajax

Telecast for Aston Villa vs Ajax

India – Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US – CBS Sports

Nigeria – Supersport

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