Aston Villa will welcome RB Salzburg to Villa Park in their final game of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase on Thursday night. The Villans have already qualified for the knockout rounds and are in second place, but will still have ambitions to top the table with Lyon only above them on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Salzburg are in 28th and only a win will do if they are to have any chance of finishing in the top 24 come the end of the round, which would warrant a place in the knockout play-offs. However, they will be seen as underdogs here against a strong Villa side.
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Aston Villa vs RB Salzburg prediction: Villa to earn comfortable victory?
Key stats
- Villa have won three of their last four games in all competitions.
- Salzburg have won just once in six away matches across all competitions.
- Four of Villa's last five games have seen two or fewer goals scored.
Correct score prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 RB Salzburg
Villa should run out comfortable winners here, given their home advantage and respective placement in the table. We are also backing them to keep a clean sheet, given they have done in three of their previous five matches in all competitions.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Villa favourites with bookmakers
- HOME: 10/21 (1.48) – 67.7%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Villa have been installed as the favourites with bookmakers to claim all three points at Villa Park. A draw can still be backed at just under 22%, while a Salzburg victory is rated at just under 17%.
Also, feel free to check out our dedicated Today’s betting tips page, as well as our Europa League predictions & betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First-ever meeting
Thursday night will present the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides. It will also be the first H2H between English and Austrian opposition in the competition this season.
Aston Villa preview: Tielemans joins injury list
Youri Tielemans has been confirmed to be out for a few weeks. Villa now have a problem in midfield, with both Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn also injured.
Predicted lineup: Martinez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Bogarde, Buendia; Bailey, Rogers, Sancho & Watkins
Last five results:
- Newcastle 0-2 Aston Villa
- Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa
- Aston Villa 0-1 Everton
- Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
- Crystal Palace 0-0 Aston Villa
RB Salzburg preview: Just two injuries
Both Takumu Kawamura and John Mellberg are injured for Salzburg and so will play no part. Otherwise, the visitors should name their strongest possible XI.
Predicted lineup: Schlager (GK); Trummer, Gadou, Schuster, Gratzig; Diabate, Bidstrup; Baidoo, Kitano, Alajbegovic & Vertessen
Last five results:
- RB Salzburg 3-1 Basel
- RB Salzburg 2-0 Red Star Belgrade
- Rakow 1-1 RB Salzburg
- RB Salzburg 0-5 Bayern Munich
- RB Salzburg 2-1 Wolfsberger
Player to watch: Emi Buendia
Emi Buendia opened the scoring for Villa against Newcastle with a beautiful goal. Given Villa's injury problems in midfield, the Argentine could be asked to play deeper, but he can still heavily influence the game against Salzburg.