Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
With this season’s Europa League crown up for grabs on Wednesday night, Freiburg and Aston Villa will meet at Besiktas Park in Turkey.
Freiburg
Starting with Freiburg, punching their ticket to Turkey with a major statement of intent earlier in the month as they mounted a stellar second-leg comeback and clinched a thrilling 4-3 aggregate win against Portuguese outfit Braga, Julian Schuster’s side have gained a string of plaudits from across the continent. Despite travelling to Besiktas Park on Wednesday night facing what will certainly be a monumental challenge on foreign soil, Freiburg certainly claimed some real momentum over the weekend. Signing off their Bundesliga campaign with a heavyweight scalp as they cruised their way to an empathic 4-1 romp against RB Leipzig, Schuster’s camp find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. However, pencilled in as a real underdog contender in Turkey, it should be noted that the German outfit have failed to register a single clean sheet from any of their last nine consecutive appearances across all competitions.
Freiburg Team News
Not featuring since the middle of February, academy graduate Max Rosenfelder remains on the sidelines with a long-term hamstring injury. Likewise, sustaining a broken collarbone earlier in the month, Japanese international Yuito Suzuki will not feature on Wednesday night.
Bagging a second-leg strike against Braga on May 7th and enjoying what has become a breakout campaign, 20-year-old Johan Manzambi could play a leading role in the final third. One-time Borussia Dortmund star Matthias Ginter will start at the heart of Freiburg’s defence in Istanbul.
Aston Villa
As for Aston Villa, mounting their own sensational second-leg comeback earlier in the month as they stormed their way to a thumping 4-1 aggregate victory against bitter domestic rivals Nottingham Forest, Unai Emery’s men are on the cusp of history. Likewise, travelling to Istanbul on Wednesday night almost universally regarded as the standout contender, the one-time Arsenal boss saw his record-breaking squad produce another stellar performance over the weekend. Picking up their own respective dream momentum on Friday night as they clinched a rollercoaster 4-2 victory against Premier League giants Liverpool, the one-time Arsenal boss will also be excited by his side’s clinical performances in the final third. In fact, Aston Villa have notched 10 goals in just their last three appearances across all competitions.
Aston Villa Team News
Enduring an injury nightmare this season, Aston Villa have already confirmed that French star Boubacar Kamara remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. However, Emery’s side remain hopeful that former Everton midfielder Amadou Onana will be able to be part of his travelling squad.
Bagging a stellar Premier League brace against Liverpool on Friday night and now registering 15 direct goal contributions (11 goals, four assists) in his last 12 outings across all fronts, leading marksman Ollie Watkins will spearhead Villa’s charge. Fellow England international Morgan Rogers will partner Watkins in the final third.
Freiburg vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
Thursday’s showpiece event in Turkey will be the first competitive showdown between Freiburg and Aston Villa.
Aston Villa have registered 10 goals in their previous three appearances across all competitions.
Freiburg have failed to register a single clean sheet in any of their previous nine appearances across all formats.
The red-hot Ollie Watkins has registered 15 direct goal contributions (11 goals, four assists) in his last 12 outings across all fronts.
Villa have registered just a sole clean sheet on their travels since the end of January.
Conclusion
On the cusp of history, Aston Villa will travel over to Turkey on Wednesday night rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender. Claiming some dream momentum over the weekend as they claimed a thrilling 4-2 victory against soon-to-be former Premier League champions Liverpool, Emery’s side have also found quite the clinical edge in the final third. Meeting what has been a leaky Freiburg defence, we are backing Villa to get their hands on a first piece of silverware since way back in 1996.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
