Aston Villa is set to travel to Switzerland for a crucial Europa League encounter against Basel tonight, with ambitions of securing a top-eight finish in the continental tournament’s league phase. This highly anticipated clash kicks off at 8 PM UK time.
Fans in the UK can catch the action live on TNT Sports, with streaming options available through Discovery+.
In terms of squad news, Basel may be without Kaio Eduardo, who is a doubt due to injury. Aston Villa, however, will be missing Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley, both sidelined for the encounter.
Predicted line-ups indicate a 4-2-3-1 formation for both teams. Basel is expected to feature goalkeeper Hitz, with a defensive line consisting of Tsunemoto, Barisic, Adjetey, and Daniliuc, while Schmid, Metinho, and Bacanin will comprise the midfield. Creative attacking threats include Shaqiri, Leroy, and Otele, with Broschinski expected to lead the line. Aston Villa’s lineup is predicted to include Bizot in goal, a back four of Cash, Lindelof, Torres, and Maatsen, with Onana and Bogarde as holding midfielders. The forward trio is anticipated to consist of Sancho, Elliott, and Malen, supporting star striker Watkins.
Recent form shows Basel currently placed third in the Swiss Super League; however, the team has faced difficulties in the Europa League. With only two wins from their first five matches in this competition, they currently sit at the bottom of their group, in 24th place, which is crucial for qualification to the knockout rounds.
On the other hand, Aston Villa is riding high on a wave of success, boasting seven consecutive victories across all competitions, including a remarkable win against Premier League leaders Arsenal at Villa Park last weekend.
Despite Villa’s current form, manager Unai Emery remains cautious about the match ahead. He acknowledges the challenge Basel poses and emphasizes the importance of building the team’s competitive edge in Europe. “The most important thing is how we are building the team,” he stated, recognizing the difficulties of playing away in a European setting. “Basel will be strong at home with their supporters, and they will be motivated.”
Basel’s manager, Ludovic Magnin, also expressed awareness of the uphill battle against Aston Villa. He stated that his side must be ready for a tough match, given Villa’s technical prowess. Magnin aims to recreate the electrifying atmosphere from previous home matches to galvanize his players, stating, “There are those magical nights at St. Jakob-Park… then anything is possible.”
As both teams prepare for this encounter, the stakes are high, and the fans can expect a night full of drama and high-quality football.
