Aston Villa travel to Switzerland aiming to strengthen their position in the Europa League top eight when they take on Basel tonight.
Villa arrive in top form, winning 13 of their last 15 games in all competitions.
Advertisement
Unai Emery’s side achieved a spectacular victory against Arsenal over the weekend, with Emiliano Buendía’s 95th-minute goal sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The Villans sit third in the Premier League, three points off the top and with European progress in sight.
They reach the sixth round with 12 points (4V, 1D), jointly leading the classification of 36 teams. However, Basel is dangerous, especially at home.
The Swiss team has alternated wins and losses throughout the League Phase (G2, P3).
It is worth noting that they have won their last seven Europa League home games, their longest active streak in the competition.
Advertisement
A late defeat to Genk left them in 24th place, but they still occupy the last play-off spot with three games remaining.
Confidence is rising after back-to-back domestic wins, including a last-gasp 2-1 win over Winterthur last weekend.
Head to head: Basel vs Aston Villa
This will be the first meeting between the clubs in 23 years, since Villa’s 4-1 aggregate victory in the 2001 Intertoto Cup final.
The Villans must be careful as Basel have won five of their last 10 games against English opposition.
Basel have also been impeccable at home in this competition, with seven consecutive victories at St Jakob-Park.
Villa have struggled away in Europe recently, winning just one of their last six away games in the UEFA Cup/Europa League.
Advertisement
However, Villa have scored two or more goals in 10 of their last 15 games, highlighting their firepower heading into this match.
Donyell Malen up top will likely be Villa’s biggest threat with Ollie Watkins rested. Malen has scored three goals in his last two Europa League games.
Aston Villa Team News
Tyrone Mings (thigh) and Ross Barkley (knee) remain out, while Evann Guessand is a doubt after missing Arsenal’s victory.
Unai Emery will be able to rotate. Emiliano Martínez has started the last three European games, but could be rested, with Marco Bizot pushing for minutes.
Matty Cash could also retire, opening the door for Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof or Andrés García at right back.
Advertisement
If Lindelof does not play wide, he could partner Pau Torres in the centre, with Lucas Digne competing with Ian Maatsen on the left.
In midfield, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana are expected to continue, while Youri Tielemans or Morgan Rogers could be removed due to match congestion.
Further ahead, Buendia is pushing to start after his last gasp at Arsenal. The 28-year-old could receive a chance.
Harvey Elliott likely won’t play today. Emery confirmed that the youngster, who is a “special player”, could return to parent club Liverpool in January.
Jadon Sancho and John McGinn are alternative options. Malen is expected to lead the line, with Emery likely to rest Ollie Watkins again.
Advertisement
Aston Villa’s predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)
Marco Bizot; Lamare Bogarde, Víctor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía, Jadon Sancho; Donyell Malen.