Ajax v Aston Villa

Ajax vs Aston Villa Preview

Ajax produced a much-needed win in the Dutch top flight on the weekend when they registered a 2-0 home win against Utrecht which gives the hosts a timely boost ahead of this upcoming 1st leg tie of their Europa Conference League round of 16 encounter with Premier League club Aston Villa who captured a third win on the trot in the English top flight with a 3-2 win away from home at Luton Town.

It's been a tough few weeks though for the Dutch hosts as Ajax have managed to pick up just two wins from their last seven games overall in all competitions which came in the shape of an extra-time 2-1 win away from home at Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt along with last weekend's aforementioned win against Utrecht.

However, defeats to Heerenven and AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie along with three draws throws into question Ajax's ability to grind out a win at home in this 1st leg of this European tie, while Johannes van't Schip's side have managed to collect just six wins from their last 14 matches overall.

Interestingly, Ajax have also managed to register just two wins from their previous 12 ties in the level above in European club competition in the Europa League.

Aston Villa racked up a third win on the trot in the Premier League on Sunday when the west midlands club secured another important three points thanks to a 3-2 win away from home at Luton Town which helped further consolidate their position in the top four of the table along with contention for Champions League football next season.

Previous wins against Fulham 2-1 and a 4-2 home win against Nottingham Forest will give Unai Emery's side plenty of confidence as they prepare for this upcoming trip to the Netherlands on Thursday night, and having lost just four out of their last 22 matches in all competitions, The Villains look in good shape to pick up a positive result here at the Johan Cruijff Arena.

13 wins within these last 22 games suggests the west midlands club not only have a chance of gaining a draw here in this 1st leg tie but current form suggests Villa could walk away with a valuable lead ahead of their 2nd leg tie at Villa Park next week.

In addition, Aston Villa have made themselves a very tough to break down on their travels as Unai Emery's side have suffered just one defeat from their previous 11 outings on the road in all competitions.

Ajax v Aston Villa Verdict

Ajax have lost just once in their last 11 home games overall but Villa are currently on a crest of a wave right now and the visitors' quality in the final third may just see the visitors sneak a narrow lead here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Aston Villa win @ 1.66

Other side bets worth considering:

Aston Villa win & Over 3.5 goals @ 3.40

Correct Score: Aston Villa 2-1 @ 8.50