Aston Villa vs Zrinjski Mostar Predictions for Thursday’s Europa Conference League clash at Villa Park. Villa are coming into this clash in fantastic form after destroying Brighton in the last weekend. Can they get their first points on the board in Group E? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Thursday, 5th October at 8:00 pm In:
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski Mostar Predictions
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A Battle of Titans in Europa Conference League
Key Stats
– Zrinjski Mostar made a historic comeback against AZ Alkmaar, overturning a 3-0 halftime deficit.
– Villa’s Ollie Watkins is in scintillating form, boasting an average rating of 7.51 and being the team’s top scorer.
In a crucial Group E clash, Aston Villa will welcome Zrinjski Mostar to Villa Park as both teams battle for supremacy. The high-flying Premier League team’s opening defeat has set the stage for an intriguing match-up against Bosnia-Herzegovina’s champions, Zrinjski Mostar, who are on a dream debut in the Europa Conference League.
Aston Villa’s Redemption Quest
Last month’s journey to Poland was less than ideal for Villa. Despite the high hopes pinned on Unai Emery, a UEFA competition specialist, and having previously demolished Hibernian 8-0 on aggregate, the Villans were caught off guard by Legia Warsaw. Ernest Muci’s 51st-minute decider proved fatal for the Premier League side, ensuring they left Poland with zero points.
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Their recent performances have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Villa’s breathtaking 6-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, punctuated by an Ollie Watkins hat-trick, was a testament to their firepower. This season alone, Villa’s attacking prowess is evident with 45 goals from 11 games. Yet, their unpredictable nature means they have alternated between wins and losses in their last seven matches, a pattern they will hope doesn’t persist.
Zrinjski Mostar: The Bosnian Dream
Zrinjski Mostar, having created history as the first Bosnian side in any UEFA competition group stage, are in sensational form. Their recent 4-3 triumph over AZ Alkmaar after trailing by three goals at half-time has given them a huge boost. Zvonimir Kozulj, who played a pivotal role in that comeback with two goals, remains a key figure for Krunoslav Rendulic’s side, which has been racking up the points domestically as well. Their fine form, combined with their dominant league title win last season, means they’ll be approaching the Villa clash with confidence.
Key Players and Team News
Villa’s injury woes are cause for concern. Moussa Diaby and Boubacar Kamara are still nursing injuries from the Brighton game, while the likes of Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia face extended spells on the sidelines. However, Leon Bailey’s return provides a silver lining. We could see Jhon Duran, who found the net in Villa’s previous European encounter, spearhead the attack.
For Zrinjski, the spotlight will be on Tomislav Kis. The Croatian forward’s recent goal-scoring form makes him a probable choice to lead the line. Meanwhile, club captain Nemanja Bilbija, who has a commendable European scoring record, remains a pivotal figure.
The Predictions
1. The Core Match Result: Aston Villa to Win
Considering the patterns of recent performances, it’s evident that both teams have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities. Aston Villa, despite their hiccup in the Europa Conference League opener, maintain a robust home record, especially with their manager keen on turning Villa Park into an impregnable fortress. This season, the Premier League side hasn’t put a foot wrong at home. When pitting that against Zrinjski Mostar’s inconsistency on their travels, it would be prudent to lean towards a Villa win. Aston Villa’s quality, experience, and Emery’s tactical nous make them favourites for this fixture.
2. Correct Score: 3-1 to Aston Villa
In breaking down the possible scoreline, we must acknowledge the attacking prowess of both teams. Aston Villa, with their recent 6-1 thrashing of Brighton, showcased their attacking flair. In contrast, Zrinjski Mostar has netted 12 in their last four matches, signifying that they’re no slouches in front of goal. However, given Villa’s defensive stability at home and Zrinjski’s potential defensive vulnerabilities, a 3-1 scoreline in favour of Villa looks like a plausible scenario. It gives room for both teams to demonstrate their attacking quality while also accounting for Villa’s superior defensive structure at home.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins is a name that stands out when talking about goals. With a recent hat-trick against Brighton and an impressive average rating, Watkins is in red-hot form. Furthermore, he has already netted four times this season in the Premier League. Even if he starts from the bench, as potential squad rotation might suggest, his ability to change the dynamics of a game can’t be understated. Given his current form, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Watkins find the back of the net against Zrinjski Mostar.
4. Corner Analysis: Aston Villa to have more corners, Total Corners Over 10.5
Analysing the corner statistics, it’s evident that both teams have had their fair share of attacking phases in games. Aston Villa averages 5.3 corners a game, while Zrinjski averages slightly higher at 5.4. Given that Villa will be playing at home and will potentially dominate possession and create more chances, it’s reasonable to predict they’ll win more corners than their counterparts. Additionally, combining the corner averages of both teams suggests the match could see over 10.5 corners in total, making it a viable betting opportunity.
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