After appearing to turn their fortunes around after a rocky start to the season, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa will look to continue their impressive form as they travel to face Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
Towards the beginning of the campaign, Villa looked a rudderless ship that were sleepwalking into serious trouble at the wrong end of the table. Emery was under fire, and his players were flattering to deceive.
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Fast forward to today and things are looking very different at Villa Park. Emery’s side have now won five successive games and have already bested a Dutch side in the Europa League this season. Netting the winner away at Spurs in their last fixture in the Premier League, Emiliano Buendia is in fine form and will be eager to continue this as Villa have put any notions of a hangover following the disappointment of last season behind them.
They face Go Ahead Eagles, a team who have never faced an English side in a European competition. After winning the KNVB Beker last season, Eagles kicked off only their sixth ever European tour with a defeat to Romanian giants FCSB. However, they followed such a disappointing defeat with victory in Greece against Panathinaikos.
Their league form hasn’t been stellar so far this season and they currently sit 11th out of 18 in the Eredivisie after another defeat against PSV last time out. Facing one of the competition’s favourites, it looks to be a difficult task.
Despite picking up a knee injury on international duty, striker Ollie Watkins was cleared to feature in Villa’s 2-1 victory on Sunday. Watkins may be ready to start in Deventer, but Dutch star Donyell Malen has impressed in the Englishman’s absence, meaning perhaps a shift out wide beckons for Watkins.
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Elsewhere, it remains to be seen whether Tyrone Mings will be passed fit to add real bulk to Emery’s backline and midfielder Youri Tielemans is a while away from even returning to full training.
Go Ahead Eagles are facing multiple injuries on up front heading into Thursday night’s game with forwards Edvarsen and Pim Saathof sidelined through injury. Two-time goalscorer in their previous game, Milan Smit is fit to start and provide a strong attacking output for the Dutch side where they will need it the most.
The game could provide a benchmark for just how far Emery and his side have come since their torrid start to the season and another strong performance in Europe would once again banish any doubts about their season and help one of the competitions favourites truly get started.
Predicted line-ups
Go Ahead Eagles: De Busser; Dejil, Nauber, Kramer, James; Meulensteen, Linthorst; Suray, Breum, Margret; Smit
Aston Villa: Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; Malen, Buendia, McGinn; Watkins
