AZ v Aston Villa

AZ vs Aston Villa Preview

The British interest in the midweek action on the European front continues in the Europa Conference League as Premier League side, Aston Villa, travel to Netherlands to take on AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion with both sides level on three points apiece, as indeed are the other two teams in Group E as well, so everything to play for here.

AZ bring some impressive momentum into this Matchday 3 clash in the Europa Conference League as the hosts have won five of their last six matches overall which includes domestic wins in the Dutch Eredivisie against PEC Zwolle, Fortuna Sittard, Ajax and Heerenveen along with a 1-0 home win against Legia Warsaw last time out in this competition.

AZ started their group campaign in dismal fashion though as the hosts were handed a 4-3 loss on the road at Bosnia-Herzegovina side, Zrinjski, so the Dutch hosts will be eager to return to the home surroundings of their AFAS Stadion for Thursday night's clash.

The bigger picture shows AZ have lost just once in their last 21 matches overall in all competitions as well as scoring at least once in each of these 21 games as well, so the prospects of a goal for the hosts looks extremely likely!

Aston Villa will also be in confident mood as they prepare for this upcoming trip to Alkmaar to take on AZ after inflicting a heavy 4-1 thrashing upon West Ham at Villa Park in Sunday's Premier League clash which became Villa's third win in four matches overall and included previous wins against Brighton 6-1 and a 1-0 home win against Zrinjski at Villa Park.

The bigger picture shows Aston Villa have lost just three of their last 13 matches in all competitions whilst picking up nine wins in the process but most impressive of all is the fact that the west midlands club have scored in 12 of these 13 games as well, thus underlining the distinct possibility of both teams scoring in this upcoming Matchday 3 clash in the Europa Conference League.

In addition, both teams have scored in eight of Aston Villa's last 12 away trips with a quarter of these games resulting in 1-1 draws.

AZ v Aston Villa Verdict

Both AZ and Aston Villa have been involved in numerous matches of late that have produced goals for both sides and both clubs are expected to be on the front foot here in this clash as well, as both teams look to get ahead in the race for a top two finish in Group E.

Aston Villa in particular have been amongst the goals of late as the visitors have scored a total of 15 goals in their last five league matches.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score YES @ 1.61

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.50

Correct score: 1-1 @ 7.00