AZ Alkmaar meet Aston Villa in Group E of 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League.
With all four teams in the group locked on three points apiece and a goal difference of zero, victory could send either AZ Alkmaar or Villa top before Zrinjski Mostar host Legia Warsaw in the late kick-off.
Team News
Lahdo is suspended for AZ Alkmaar after he was red carded during their win over Legia Warsaw during their last group match.
Mees de Wit (foot) and Sem Westerveld (knee) remain absent.
Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Premier League win at home to West Ham.
Tyrone Mings (knee), Alex Moreno (fitness), Jacob Ramsey (foot) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
AZ Alkmaar host Aston Villa at AFAS Stadion on Thursday 26 October in a 6:45pm CEST (5:45pm UK Time) kick-off, live on TNT Sport 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is AZ Alkmaar’s first-ever meeting against Aston Villa in all UEFA competitions.
- Aston Villa are playing away to AZ Alkmaar for the first time in any UEFA competition.
- Villa are the ninth different English opposition that AZ Alkmaar have faced across all UEFA competitions.
- AZ Alkmaar have scored first in each of their two Group E matches (W1, L1).
- Villa have converted 15 out of 46 shots onto target in their opening two group matches.
Prediction
Having scored in every match this season, AZ Alkmaar must not be underestimated by any stretch given their attacking threats across the pitch, whilst their defence have managed four clean sheets in their last six games underlining their quality.
Aston Villa meanwhile delivered a cracking performance to soak up West Ham’s attacking intensity and clinically hit them on the counter with fantastic attacking play, which might just be the perfect tonic because they might need a repeat display to get a result here.
Goals therefore shouldn’t be in short supply here but if Villa can play with the same discipline and end product as they did on Sunday, they should edge this otherwise I can see a score draw here.
Prediction: AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Aston Villa
Result: AZ Alkmaar 1-4 Aston Villa
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