Basel vs Aston Villa Predictions

• Aston Villa have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches
• Basel have conceded two or more goals in three of their five Europa League games
• Basel have not lost at home in Europe this season

Villa vying for glory on all fronts

Aston Villa face a potentially stern test from Basel in the Europa League on Thursday as Unai Emery juggles the demands of the midweek competition alongside his side’s Premier League trophy ambitions. Villa have to be in the conversation for the title after cutting Arsenal’s lead at the top to three points on Saturday in a superb show of opportunism, grit and game management.

Emery has always targeted the cup competitions and, although there might be good reason for him to rest half a dozen stars from this clash, history suggests he will send out a side strong enough to get the job done.

Villa, however, have not always delivered on the road of late. They lost 2-1 to Go Ahead Eagles on their last European trip and 2-0 at Anfield a week or so later – a result which looks worse given Liverpool’s continued struggles. Last week, Villa needed to battle back from two goals down against Brighton after starting the game like a Sunday pub side.

Swiss side can punish any slackness

Basel are certainly capable of punishing any slackness or tiredness in the Villa ranks, but they are not in great form themselves. On Sunday, Ludovic Magnin’s men needed a 94th-minute winner scored at the third time of asking to secure three points at lowly Winterthur, who are rock bottom of the Swiss Super League.

Rotblau have won both of their home league phase matches this season, but remain pointless on their travels and need something from this match to stay in the mix for qualification. They should come out to play and may potentially suffer some consequences on the counter atatck.

Backing Villa to score at least twice looks worthwhile given how the game is set up for atatcking football and Emery’s side have notched two or more goals in six of their last seven games.