Aston Villa will be looking to make it four straight wins in the Europa League when they hit the road to face Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce will look to bolster their chances of finishing inside the top eight with a win over Aston Villa, who will look to maintain their dominance and climb further up the table.
The home team are 12th with 11 points in their six outings, thanks to three wins, two draws and a defeat. While the Turkish Super Lig giants started the Europa League campaign with a defeat, they have been unbeaten in their last five European outings.
The Yellow Canaries secured a dominant 4-0 win over SK Brann in their last Europa League outing, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-2 win over Alanyaspor. Given their recent form, Fenerbahce will certainly give Aston Villa a run for their money.
Meanwhile, the visitors are third in the UEFA Europa League standings, with 15 points in their six outings, thanks to five wins and a defeat. The Villans are amongst the favourites to win the competition, and their manager Unai Emery has already won it on four occasions in the past.
The West Midlands outfit have been in sensational form across competitions. Their last European outing was a 2-1 win over FC Basel. Emery’s team did end up suffering a defeat at the hands of Everton last time out, but they certainly have it in them to turn things around and return to winning ways. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Fenerbahce
The home team will be without the services of Archie Brown (toe), Levent Mercan (muscle), and Sebastian Szymanski (groin) on Thursday. Meanwhile, winter signings Matteo Guendouzi, Anthony Musaba, and Mert Gunok cannot feature until the knockouts.
Fenerbahce will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where former Manchester City star Ederson Moraes will take charge in goal. Nelson Semedo and Mert Muldur will feature as the full-backs, while Milan Skriniar will pair up with Jayden Oosterwolde in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Fred will start alongside İsmail Yuksek and Talisca in the centre of the park. The Fenerbahce midfield trio will look to ensure the Aston Villa midfielders do not dictate the tempo of the game.
Marco Asensio and Kerem Akturkoglu are expected to feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Meanwhile, former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran should be back in the starting XI to lead the line for Fenerbahce on Thursday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur; Fred, Yuksek, Talisca; Asensio, Duran, Akturkoglu
Aston Villa
John McGinn (knee) has joined Boubacar Kamara (knee), Ross Barkley (knee), and Amadou Onana (thigh) on the sidelines. Winter signing Alysson is ineligible to feature until the knockouts, while Jadon Sancho will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
Aston Villa will stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Marco Bizot will be in goal. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will feature as the full-backs, while Victor Lindelof will pair up with Ezri Konsa in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Lamare Bogarde and Youri Tielemans will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. They will shield the backline and look to ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Evann Guessand and Emiliano Buendia will feature on the flanks, while Morgan Rogers will take up the number ten role. Finally, Ollie Watkins will continue to lead the line for Aston Villa against Fenerbahce on Thursday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Konsa, Digne; Bogarde, Tielemans; Guessand, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Key Stats
- Aston Villa and Fenerbahce will square up against each other in the UEFA Europa League for the third time in history.
- The two teams last faced each other back in 1977/78. Aston Villa won 6-0 on aggregate (2-0 away and 4-0 at home).
- Fenerbahce have won each of their last four games heading into this fixture.
- Aston Villa’s 11-match winning streak at Villa Park was ended by Everton last time out.
- Unai Emery’s men are one of the six teams that are guaranteed a knockout round playoff place, as they currently sit third with 15 points.
Player to Watch
Emiliano Buendia
Buendia has revived his Aston Villa career in some fashion, and he is enjoying one of his most successful campaigns at Villa Park. Since returning from his loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen, the Argentine has not only managed to establish himself as a key figure under Emery, but he has also been one of their standout performers.
The 29-year-old has 10 goal contributions so far, two of which have come in the UEFA Europa League, and he will certainly look to add to his tally when the team hits the road to face the Turkish giants.
Prediction
Fenerbahce 1-3 Aston Villa
Fenerbahce will take plenty of confidence into this clash given their strong recent form, especially at home, and they are unlikely to make things easy for Aston Villa. With quality all over the pitch and a midfield capable of matching the Villans’ intensity, the Turkish giants should have their moments, particularly if they can start on the front foot and feed off the home support.
However, Aston Villa’s European pedigree under Unai Emery could prove decisive once again. Even after a domestic setback, the visitors have the structure and attacking firepower to control key phases of the game and punish any lapses. If they manage the atmosphere and tempo well, Villa should have enough to come away with another important win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for the away team.