Ajax welcome Aston Villa to Johan Cruyff Arena in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League.
Ajax overcame Bodø/Glimt in the Knockout Play-Offs to reach this stage, whilst Villa received a free pass into this round by virtue of winning their group.
Team News
Josip Sutalo is suspended for Ajax after his red card in their second leg victory at Bodø/Glimt in their knockout play-off tie.
Anton Gaaei (fatigue) is a doubt but Steven Bergwijn (hamstring), Mika Godts (thigh), Remko Pasveer and Gaston Avila (both knee) remain ruled out.
Aston Villa could be without midfielder, Jacob Ramsey after he suffered a foot injury during their win over Luton in the Premier League.
Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee), Diego Carlos, Jhon Duran (both hamstring) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the sidelines.
When is Kick-Off?
Ajax host Villa at Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday 7 March at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 3.
Stat Attack
- Ajax lost their only previous meeting against Aston Villa, which came in a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park in the Group Stage of 2008-09 UEFA Cup.
- Villa are playing away to Ajax in a competitive fixture for the first time.
- Ajax have won just one of their last eight European fixtures at home (W1, D3, L4).
- All seven of Villa’s away goals in the group stage were scored by seven different players – Jhon Duran, Lucas Digne, Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Nicolo Zaniolo.
Prediction
Defence has often been Ajax’s Achilles heel this season but after achieving their fourth clean sheet of the season against Utrecht last weekend, they can come into this game with belief that they can get something from this leg if can build upon that performance because they clearly have the attacking quality unlike in defence.
Villa meanwhile need to find consistency after a match of two halves at Luton because they bossed the first half yet allowed the Hatters back into the game from poor set-piece defending, although that late winner shows the grit and belief within this squad no matter what challenges they face.
Ajax however have struggled at home in Europe lately and if Villa can play like they did at Luton but with better defending, I can see them putting this tie in their own hands heading into the return leg at home.
Prediction: Ajax 0-2 Aston Villa
Result: Ajax 0-0 Aston Villa