Ajax vs Aston Villa: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Usayd Tai

Aston Villa travel to Amsterdam to take on Ajax in the first leg of the round of 16 in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

How to Watch Ajax vs Aston Villa in the UK:

UK viewers can watch the match live on TNT Sports 3. Kick-off is set for 5:45pm at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Recent Form:

Ajax enter the RO16 after beating Bodo/Glimt 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off rounds. They entered the Conference League for the first time after finishing third in Group B of the Europa League.

The Dutch side currently sit fifth in the Eredivisie, having won six of 12 games in all competitions this calendar year. John van't Schip's side are looking to record their second win in a row however after securing a 2-0 home victory over Utrecht on Saturday.

Villa meanwhile head to Amsterdam in fine form, having recorded a late 3-2 win away at Luton Town at the weekend. Unai Emery's side have won five of ten games in all competitions in 2024, and currently sit fourth in the Premier League as they continue to chase a place in next season's Champions League.

The Midlanders qualified for the RO16 after topping Group E, scoring 20 goals in the process.

🔜🇳🇱#UECL pic.twitter.com/kL2lV9LneY
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 6, 2024

Team News:

Ajax defender Josip Satulo misses out through suspension, while forward Steven Bergwijn will also sit out through injury. Left-back Gaston Avila, forward Mike Godts and winger Amourricho van Axel are also expected absentees for the match.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson could feature.

Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey will be assessed ahead of the tie after leaving Kenilworth Road in a protective boot on Saturday. Centre-backs Diego Carlos and Tyrone Mings, midfielder Boubacar Kamara, forward Jhon Duran, and attacking midfielder Emiliano Buendia all miss out through injury.

Lucas Digne, who netted the winner for Villa at Luton, could return to the starting eleven.

Betting Odds:

Testament to both Ajax struggles and the job Emery has done since taking over at Villa Park, the away side head to Amsterdam as firm favourites. vBet offer the Villains at 5/7, with an implied probability of 58.33%.

Ajax come in at 4/1 underdogs with bet365, carrying an implied probability of 20%. The draw sits at 16/5 with BetMGM, with an implied probability of 23.81%.

Prediction:

OddsNow back Villa to continue their good form with a hard-earned win to take back to Villa Park in a week's time.