Columbus Crew vs Aston Villa Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews for this pre-season friendly affair. Aston Villa aim for a third consecutive pre-season victory against MLS side Columbus Crew in a friendly on Saturday night. Read on for our free predictions and tips.
Club Friendlies | Jul 28, 2024 at 1am UK at Lower.com Field
Columbus Crew vs Aston Villa Predictions
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Can Aston Villa Extend Their Winning Streak Against Columbus Crew?
Key Stats
Aston Villa scored 2 goals per game on average last season, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Columbus Crew have conceded 22 goals in 23 matches this season, indicating defensive vulnerabilities.
Leon Bailey has been directly involved in several goals during pre-season, underlining his importance in Villa’s attack.
Aston Villa are set to face MLS side Columbus Crew in a pre-season friendly at Lower.com Field on Saturday night. Unai Emery’s squad is looking to maintain their winning streak, having triumphed in their first two pre-season matches. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew, well into their MLS campaign, are expected to provide a stern test for the English side.
Match Preview
Columbus Crew currently sit third in the Eastern Conference, having accumulated 43 points from 23 matches. Despite their solid season, they enter this friendly following a 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United. With the MLS season on pause due to the 2024 Leagues Cup, the Crew are focusing on maintaining fitness and form during this break. Manager Wilfried Nancy, who led his team to an MLS Cup victory last year, will be looking to use this match to test his squad against high-quality opposition.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, are gearing up for another challenging Premier League season after finishing fourth last year, securing a Champions League spot. Under Unai Emery, Villa have shown significant improvement, and their pre-season campaign reflects their aspirations for the upcoming season. They have convincingly won their first two pre-season matches, defeating Walsall and Spartak Trnava 3-0. Emery’s focus will be on integrating new signings and fine-tuning tactics ahead of their Premier League opener against West Ham United.
Team News
Columbus Crew will be without goalkeeper Evan Bush due to an arm injury, but the rest of the squad is available. Nancy is expected to rotate his squad, providing opportunities for several players while maintaining a core of regular starters. Key players such as Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Cucho Hernandez are likely to feature prominently.
Aston Villa have brought a strong squad to the United States, including John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, and Ian Maatsen, who were involved in Euro 2024. New signings like Amadou Onana and Samuel Iling-Junior are expected to get valuable playing time. However, Villa will be missing several key players, including Jhon Duran, Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, Boubacar Kamara, and Tyrone Mings.
Columbus Crew's possible starting lineup: Hagen; Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko; Farsi, Zawadzki, Matan, Arfsten; Rossi, Hernandez, Ramirez
Aston Villa's possible starting lineup: Gauci; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Moreno; McGinn, Rogers, Onana; Bailey, Archer, Philogene
Expected Goals Analysis
Aston Villa have displayed an impressive attacking form in pre-season, reflected in their expected goals (xG) metrics. They have created numerous high-quality chances, resulting in a strong xG figure. Columbus Crew, despite being in the midst of their season, have also shown good attacking prowess but have occasionally been vulnerable defensively.
Key Areas and Player Duels
The midfield battle will be crucial in determining the outcome of this match. Aston Villa's John McGinn and Youri Tielemans will face off against Columbus's Zawadzki and Matan. McGinn's physicality and Tielemans' vision will be tested against the Crew's midfield resilience. In attack, Leon Bailey's pace and dribbling will challenge the defensive solidity of Rudy Camacho and his colleagues.
Gameplay and Strategies
Aston Villa are likely to control possession, leveraging their superior passing and movement to break down Columbus Crew's defence. Emery's side will aim to use the flanks effectively, with Bailey and Philogene providing width and pace. Columbus Crew, aware of Villa's attacking threats, may adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on counter-attacks and exploiting set-piece opportunities.
Tactical Strengths and Weaknesses
Aston Villa:
- Strengths: Strong attacking play, efficient use of set-pieces, and high possession play.
- Weaknesses: Occasional defensive lapses, particularly on counter-attacks.
Columbus Crew:
- Strengths: Effective in set-pieces, quick counter-attacks, and resilient midfield.
- Weaknesses: Inconsistent defence, especially against higher-quality opposition, and reliance on key players for goals.
Managerial Analysis and Criticism
Unai Emery has successfully transformed Aston Villa into a competitive side, but his tactics can sometimes be too rigid, lacking the necessary flexibility against dynamic opponents. Wilfried Nancy has done well with Columbus Crew, but his inability to address defensive inconsistencies has been a notable weakness. This match will be a test of both managers' ability to adapt and deploy effective strategies.
Betting Angles and Predictions
Considering the teams' current form and statistical trends, here are five betting angles for this fixture:
Best Bet: Aston Villa -1 to Win Given Aston Villa's superior form and Columbus Crew's defensive vulnerabilities, a win by at least one goal for Villa is highly probable. Their attacking strength and quality should see them through comfortably.
Correct Score Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Columbus Crew Reflecting the best bet, a 3-1 scoreline accounts for Villa's offensive capabilities and acknowledges Columbus Crew's potential to score, especially on counter-attacks.
Goalscorer Prediction: Leon Bailey Leon Bailey's pace and dribbling make him a significant threat, and he is likely to find the net. His form in pre-season suggests he will be a constant danger to Columbus Crew's defence.
Corner Prediction: Aston Villa to Win More Corners With their attacking emphasis, Villa are expected to dominate corner statistics. They should win more corners, with an estimated total of around 10-12 corners in the game.
Innovative Market: Total Team Shots on Target - Aston Villa Over 6.5 Villa's attacking play has resulted in numerous shots on target, and with their form, over 6.5 shots on target is a reasonable expectation against a defensively vulnerable Columbus Crew.
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