2023-24 UEFA Europa League – Round of 16: Second Leg – Aston Villa vs Ajax

Aston Villa host Ajax at Villa Park in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League.

With the tie still goalless on aggregate after the first leg, victory would see Villa or Ajax advance even if extra-time or penalties are needed.

 

Team News

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John McGinn is available for Aston Villa because his suspension only applies to domestic games, after he was red carded in Villa’s Premier League loss to Tottenham.

Ezri Konsa is suspended after he was red carded in the first leg in Amsterdam.

Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the side-lines.

Ajax will be without defender, Tristian Gooijer after he was red carded during the goalless first leg at home.

Steven Berghius (knock) is a doubt but Steven Bergwijn (hamstring), Mika Godts (thigh), Remko Pasveer and Gaston Avila (both knee) remain ruled out.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Aston Villa host Ajax at Villa Park on Thursday 14 March in a 8pm GMT kick-off, live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Aston Villa are unbeaten in two previous meetings against Ajax (W1, D1).
• Ajax lost 2-1 in their only previous away visit to Villa at Villa Park in the Group Stage of 2008-09 UEFA Cup.
• All five of Villa’s goals at home in this season’s competition have been scored by a different player (John McGinn, Diego Carlos, Ollie Watkins, Moussa Diaby and Alex Moreno).
• Ajax are unbeaten in three of their five European away matches in all UEFA competitions this season (W2, D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Following a lacklustre defeat to Tottenham in which they lacked much end product and were defensively exposed on the counter-attack after a resilient first half, Villa have to raise their game to another notch now and be more clinical if they want to extend this European adventure.

Ajax meanwhile have to come out and just play their usual high-pressing style but look to have pace on the  counter which Spurs used to maximum impact to beat Villa’s defence, otherwise this could well be a tough game if can’t break fast enough once gain possession.

Villa however are unbeaten at home in Europe this season despite their recent domestic dip at Villa Park and if they can sort out their end product, they should just about nick the win.

Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Ajax

Result: Aston Villa 4-0 Ajax (Aston Villa win 4-0 on aggregate)