Aston Villa’s Predicted 4-2-3-1 Lineup Against Basel

Aston Villa heads to Switzerland for a crucial Europa League match against FC Basel, seeking to solidify their position within the top eight. The match is set for tonight, and Villa is in remarkable form, having won 13 of their last 15 games across all competitions.

Aston Villa’s Recent Success

Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa achieved a notable 2-1 victory against Arsenal last weekend, thanks to Emiliano Buendia’s dramatic last-minute goal. Currently, Villa sits third in the Premier League, just three points shy of the top spot. They enter matchday six of the Europa League with a robust 12 points (4 wins and 1 loss), ranking joint-first among 36 teams.

Basel’s Home Advantage

Despite Villa’s impressive record, Basel poses a significant threat, especially at home. The Swiss team alternated victories and defeats in the group stage, recording two wins and three losses. Notably, they have won their last seven home matches in the Europa League, marking their longest active streak in this competition.

After a recent 2-1 win over Winterthur, Basel is gaining confidence. They currently sit in 24th place, but remain in contention for the final playoff spot with three games left to play.

Head-to-Head Record

This fixture marks the first encounter between these clubs in 23 years since Aston Villa defeated Basel 4-1 on aggregate in the 2001 Intertoto Cup final. Villa must remain alert, as Basel has secured victories in five of their past ten matches against English teams.

Additionally, Basel has been unbeaten at home in this tournament, with seven consecutive wins at St Jakob-Park. In contrast, Villa has struggled in recent European away fixtures, winning only once in their last six UEFA Cup/Europa League matches.

Aston Villa’s Firepower

Despite their away struggles, Villa has shown impressive offensive capabilities, scoring two or more goals in 10 of their last 15 outings. Donyell Malen is expected to be Villa’s main offensive threat, having netted three goals in his last two Europa League matches.

Team News and Predicted Line-up

• Tyrone Mings (thigh) and Ross Barkley (knee) are sidelined.
• Evann Guessand is doubtful after his absence in the Arsenal match.
• Unai Emery is likely to rotate players due to fixture congestion.

Emiliano Martinez has been in goal for the past three Europa League matches but may be rested in favor of Marco Bizot. Matty Cash might also be replaced by Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof, or Andres Garcia in the right-back position.

In central defense, Lindelof could partner with Pau Torres if not deployed wide, while Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen are competing for the left-back slot. Midfield will likely see Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana retain their positions, with Youri Tielemans or Morgan Rogers potentially managed for the busy schedule.

Buendia, after his standout performance against Arsenal, is pushing for a starting role. Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is expected to sit out. Jadon Sancho and John McGinn are viable alternatives as the match approaches.

Predicted Aston Villa Line-up (4-2-3-1)

This matchup promises to be an exciting encounter as Aston Villa eyes further success in the Europa League against Basel.