Zrinjski vs Aston Villa tips and predictions: Unai Emery’s side need a point but should take three

Nearly 94 minutes had eclipsed when John McGinn wheeled away in celebration having scored a late winner in the reverse fixture.

That was the first of four consecutive wins for Aston Villa who top the group after five games and need just a point to secure first place.

Their Serbian hosts are already out and playing for nothing more than pride on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean they don’t represent dangerous opposition.

Matchday one saw Zrinjski overturn a 3-0 half-time deficit to beat AZ Alkmaar before frustrating Villa for 90 minutes and leading against Legia Warsaw.

 

 

On the other hand, Aston Villa were able to thrash AZ 4-1 in their backyard. We’re happy to put the English side’s shortcomings in the previous meetings down to team selection.

Unai Emery will want to strike a balance between progressing and looking after key players, but we expect a stronger team to start the game and look to get the job done early.

Goals are a constant in both of these sides' fixtures, with Villa’s 11 away games this season averaging 3.63 goals.

Meanwhile, both teams have found the net in nine of Zrinjski’s 12 home games, including both of their Conference League fixtures.

 

Team news

Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Bertrand Traore are unavailable due to injury.

Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz are suspended for the weekend’s Premier League fixture, so both should play 90 minutes here.

Jhon Duran and Nicolo Zanioli have been deployed up top during this campaign, but Unai Emery may opt for Ollie Watkins to get the job done.

 

Key stats

- Aston Villa have won their last four Europa Conference League fixtures
- Aston Villa’s 11 away games have featured 40 goals
- Both teams have scored in nine of 12 Zrinjski home games

 

Suggested bets

Aston Villa -1.5 Asian handicap

First-half goals: Over 1.5

Ollie Watkins to score