Following the drama and excitement of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday, we turn our attention to Thursday’s Europa League and Conference League action, where you’ll find a heavy UK presence. Rangers host Benfica at Ibrox in what’s sure to be a thrilling encounter, and that’s in the earlier kick-off time of 17:45 before Aston Villa welcome Ajax to Villa Park from 20:00 GMT.

Villa holds the home advantage against the most famous team from the Netherlands, but will the English Premier League outfit make it count? The aggregate score is tied at 0-0 following a goalless draw at the Amsterdam Arena in the first leg. That was a fantastic showing at a venue where many huge names from European football often struggle. Will Villa finish the job by collecting the home win needed to progress to the next round? Keep reading as our content team previews the game.

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Villa held their own

Aston Villa has enjoyed some fantastic nights on the continent in the past, but few neutrals expected them to avoid defeat in Amsterdam ahead of the first leg. It’s true the Dutch side isn’t as ruthless as they once were and it’s a major surprise to see them mix it in the third tier of UEFA’s ladder. Most pundits predicted a heavy Ajax win last time, but Aston Villa showed their fighting spirit to keep their opponents at arm’s length and earn a valuable 0-0 draw. It was a fantastic result, but there’s still work to do.

Aston Villa left the Netherlands with a 0-0 draw, meaning they now face a straight shootout for a place in the next round. There’s all to play for at Villa Park, and followers of the home team couldn’t have asked for much more than that from their team. Villa showed great defensive skills and organization to deny Ajax a home win, but the EPL side will need plenty more of that resilience to go through. They warmed up for this game with a heavy 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

Ajax remains in the hunt

Ajax missed a golden opportunity to make home advantage count and take a lead to England. They missed out following that tense 0-0 finish last week despite 60% of the ball possession and four attempts at goal. Ajax was far from being at their attacking best that evening, and both teams ended with ten men following late red cards as the tempers boiled over in the last few minutes.

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Ajax may have drawn a blank at home to Aston Villa, but they have reason to be hopeful ahead of the return leg. Villa leaked four goals at this venue just a few days ago when Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur were in town, and Villa also conceded two goals in a narrow win over Luton Town earlier this month. Six goals conceded in three games will catch the attention of the Ajax attack.

Aston Villa vs Ajax prediction

Thursday’s Europa Conference League match involving Aston Villa and Ajax promises to be a thrilling encounter, and we could see extra time and penalties. It’s not often you’ll see Villa face such a prominent name from the continent these days, but the team showed they belong in this company following that impressive draw in the Netherlands.

The stats attached to Thursday’s game make for interesting reading, showing the sides have met only twice previously, with Villa boasting an unbeaten record. The first meeting was in 2008 when Aston Villa beat Ajax 2–1 in the UEFA Cup thanks to goals from Martin Laursen and Gareth Barry. If Villa play like they did last Thursday, they should win. But if performing like they did against Spurs on Sunday, things could get messy and fast.

Conference League odds

Which team do you expect to win this intriguing battle at Villa Park on Thursday evening? You can have your say at 22Bet with odds, markets, and specials available to everyone with an active betting account. Don’t have an account with 22Bet? Join today and secure the welcome bonus that’s reserved for new customers.

Aston Villa is priced at 1.44 to win this game, or you can aim higher and back Ajax for a fantastic away win in England at 6.56. Stuck on the fence and can’t split the teams? Why not try the draw after these sides finished level just last week at the Amsterdam Arena?

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