Aston Villa take on RB Salzburg in their final Europa League group stage encounter on Thursday.
Villa claimed a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce last time out, booking their place in the round of 16. Salzburg beat Basel 3-1 at home, keeping their play-off hopes alive.
Match preview
Since losing 2-1 at Go Ahead Eagles in their third outing, Villa have won every game in the competition. They are joint-top of the standings with Lyon.
Unai Emery’s side have won all their home games, scoring five goals and conceding one.
However, with qualification already secured, Emery may rotate his squad ahead of Brentford’s visit on Sunday.
Salzburg head into this fixture sitting outside the play-off spots. They must win at Villa and hope for favourable results elsewhere.
The Austrian side have lost all their away games in the competition, scoring once and conceding seven.
Salzburg have never played Villa in the Europa League. They have faced English opposition eight times, drawing two and losing six.
Team news
Villa will be without Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara, while Ross Barkley is a doubt.
Takumu Kawamura and John Mellber are the only two fitness concerns for the visitors.
Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Marc Bizot, Andres Garcia, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde, Andre Onana, George Hemmings, Jadon Sancho, Evan Guessand, Leon Bailey.
RB Salzburg (4-3-3): Alexander Schlager, Tim Trummer, Joane Gadou, Jannik Schuster, Frans Kratzig, Sota Kitano, Soumaila Diabate, Mads Bidstrup, Edmund Baidoo, Yorbe Vertessen, Kerim Alajbegovic.
Prediction
We fancy Villa to win 3-0.
Stats from uefa.com, whoscored.com, & transfermarkt.com.
