Ajax vs Aston Villa
UEFA Europa Conference League
Round of 16
Thursday
7th March 2024
Amsterdam ArenA
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the UEFA Europa Conference League fixture between Ajax and Aston Villa.
Ajax vs Aston Villa: Preview
Ajax form analysis
Ajax’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with some impressive performances overshadowed by disappointing results. In the Europa League, they ended up with a 2-0 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Ansu Fati and Siriki Dingra finding the net for the English side. However, the Amsterdammers put up a valiant fight in a thrilling 4-3 loss to Marseille, with Brian Brobbey’s brace and Steven Berghuis’ strike canceling out Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hat-trick and Chancel Mbemba’s goal. They came back with a 3-1 victory over AEK Athens, thanks to Cyriel Dessers, Kudus Taylor, and Brobbey’s efforts, despite Luca García’s equalizer.
In the UEFA Europa Conference League, Ajax played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Bodø/Glimt, with Berghuis and Brian van den Boomen scoring late to cancel out Amahl Grønbæk’s brace. Then they secured a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win in the return leg, with Taylor and Jurriën Timber finding the net, though Grønbæk and Patrick Berg scored for the Norwegian side.
Aston Villa form analysis
Unai Emery’s men have been impressive in their European campaign. However, It is in no way dominant, considering the dropped points and hard fought wins. Their first win came against Zrinjski at home with McGinn scoring the only goal of the game in the dying moments. Bailey, Tielemans, Watkins and McGinn were the goal scorers in their 4-1 win on the road against AZ. In the reverse fixture they overturned a deficit through goals from Watkins and Carlos to win 2-1 against AZ.
This was followed by a 2-1 win against Legia Warsaw at home. Diaby and Moreno scored on either side of Muçi’s equaliser. They had to settle for a point in their last fixture. Malekinušić scored a late equaliser for the hosts after Zaniolo put the English club ahead. Overall, Villa have to be more decisive if they are indeed going all in for the title.
