Ultimate test for the Swiss champions
Aston Villa Football Club is currently the team of the moment on the island. Across all competitions, coach Unai Emery’s side has won seven matches in a row. Overall, the Birmingham-based club has won 13 of its last 15 competitive games. The temporary crowning glory of the interim sprint came at the weekend when they defeated Premier League leaders Arsenal 2-1. The Villans moved up to third place in the standings and are now only three points behind the Gunners. Given their outstanding form, I am quite favorably inclined to bet on the English team between FC Basel and Aston Villa.
AVFC has also been very impressive in the Europa League so far this season. They picked up 12 out of a possible 15 points in the first five matchdays. Third place in the league phase is the logical consequence. Nevertheless, they are only two points ahead of ninth place, so last year’s Champions League participants must keep their foot on the gas to successfully defend their top-eight position, which entitles them to direct entry into the round of 16.
Although coach Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times with two different clubs (Sevilla, Villarreal), likes to rotate his squad at international level, my prediction for the match between FC Basel and Aston Villa is definitely in favor of the visitors.
Alternatively, combining the double chance X2 with under goals could be a good option. After all, the Villans have conceded only three goals in five games, giving them the joint-best defense of all 36 EL teams. Apart from that, four of Basel’s five EL matches have also seen under 3.5 goals scored. The Swiss champions are currently 24th in the table with six points and have celebrated both of their victories at home, including against VfB Stuttgart (2-0).
However, it must also be taken into account that the “Bebbi” have only won four of their last eleven competitive games. Even more interesting: in just three of Magnin’s team’s last 16 (!) competitive games, more than three goals were scored. In my opinion, it is therefore not entirely clear why the bookmakers are offering such profitable odds on under goals ahead of the match between FC Basel and Aston Villa. The aforementioned Match Combo X2 & Under 3.5, for example, yields an extremely lucrative 1.99 at the top.
FC Basel – Aston Villa Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The two previous direct duels took place over 24 years ago. In the final of the 2001 Intertoto Cup, Aston Villa qualified for the UEFA Cup after a two-legged tie (1-1, 4-1). In general, FC Basel’s record against English clubs is quite impressive. The men from St. Jakob Park have won five of their last ten games against Premier League teams (5-1-4). However, their last victory was seven years ago, so the H2H has no immediate influence on Thursday’s FC Basel vs. Aston Villa betting odds.
FC Basel – Aston Villa Tip
FC Basel’s home game against Aston Villa promises to be an exciting encounter. On the one hand, the Swiss champions have won all of their last seven (!) Europa League games in front of their own fans and have not lost any of their last ten EL home games. On the other hand, Aston Villa Football Club, the hottest team in the Premier League, awaits the “Bebbi.” Thirteen wins from their last 15 competitive games and third place in the Europa League explain why Emery’s team are the favorites.
However, given that the visitors tend to field a mixture of A and B players in European competitions and that FCB has already beaten VfB Stuttgart at home this season, I am refraining from betting on an away win in the three-way market. Those who still believe in such an outcome will find odds of up to 3.50 for a Villans victory including a clean sheet in the Bet-at-home app.
