UEFA Europa Conference League Group E is congested after three matchdays, with top-of-the-group team, Legia Warsaw, separated from the bottom of standings club AZ Alkmaar by just three points.
On Thursday night, Aston Villa will host AZ Alkmaar at Villa Park in a vital clash in Group E. Aston Villa go into the fixture with six points from three games. However, the Villains trail Legia due to head-to-head points.
Not our day. pic.twitter.com/IpXMmmuIeS— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 5, 2023
Not our day. pic.twitter.com/IpXMmmuIeS
Villa went to the Netherlands and defeated AZ in their previous Europa Conference League match by a score of 4-1.
The Villains ran riot as Leon Bailey, Youri Tielemans, Ollie Watkins, and John McGinn all got onto the scoresheet. Ibrahim Sadiq scored AZ’s only goal of the match.
Despite scoring four times, Aston Villa only tallied five shots during the match. AZ Alkmaar go into Thursday’s game on a run of poor form.
They failed to win their last two games in all competitions, losing to Vill and drawing with Excelsior in the Eredivisie.
The Dutch club has played well on the road this season. In eight away matches, AZ have a record of 5W-2D-1L and a goal difference of +8.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are fresh off a 2-0 away loss to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. The defeat was a shock to the system and ended a six-match unbeaten streak for the Villains.
Unai Emery’s team has been strong at home this season, with seven wins, zero draws, and one defeat in all competitions.
The team has played far better at Villa Park than on the road. Aston Villa scored 25 times in their eight home matches and conceded just six times.
However, on the road, Villa scored 17 times and conceded on 16 occasions. Emery has made Villa Park a fortress this season.
Emery has a nearly fit squad to select from for the game. His only injury issues going into Thursday night are Kourtney Hause and Jacob Ramsey. Neither is expected to be fit to play.
AZ manager Pascal Jansen has three players on the injury list ahead of the weekend. Defender Mees de Wit and midfielders Mexx Meerdink and Lewis Schouten are all three doubts to make the squad.
Villa have been brilliant at home this season. AZ Alkmaar will be another casualty at Villa Park, as the Villains roll to a 3-0 win at full-time. The win could take the top of the standings in Group E.