Aston Villa take on Maccabi Tel Aviv on the fourth matchday of the UEFA Europa League league phase. While Villa have won two of three games, Maccabi are winless, losing two.
Unai Emery’s Villa are coming off a 2-0 Premier League loss at Liverpool at the weekend. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch snapped the Villans’ four-game league-winning streak.
In Europe, Emery’s side beat Bologna 1-0 at home and Feyenoord 2-0 away before losing 2-1 at Go Ahead Eagles. They are 10th in the 36-team standings, with six points from three games.
Meanwhile, Zarko Lazetic’s Maccabi are fresh off a 2-0 win at Maccabi Bnei Reineh in the Israeli Premier League, where they are second after nine games, trailing leaders Hapoel Be’er Sheva (24) by a point.
The Yellows, though, haven’t fared as well in Europe, where they drew goalless at PAOK before losing 3-1 to Dinamo Zagreb and 3-0 to leaders Midtjylland, both at home. With a point from three outings, they are a lowly 32nd in the points table.
On that note, here’s a look at the head-to-head stats and key numbers, match prediction, and betting tips for the Villa-Maccabi Europa League clash at Villa Park:
Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv head-to-head stats and key numbers
The two sides will meet for the first time.Villa have never faced Israeli opposition before, while this is the fifth time Maccabi are playing an Englsh side.Maccabi have lost all four previous matchups with English clubs – twice in the UEFA Champions League (to Chelsea) and twice in the UEFA Europa League (to Stoke City).Villa have won 12 of 14 European home games – including qualifiers – under Emery, losing one.Form guide (last five games across competitions, most recent result first): Villa: L-W-L-W-W; Maccabi: W-W-L-D-L
Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv prediction
The two sides have had contrasting fortunes in their domestic leagues and Europe. Villa, undoubtedly, have the superior continental pedigree, winning the European Cup (now called the Champions League) four decades ago.
However, this matchup represents unchartered territory for Villa, who are facing an Israeli team for the first time. Meanwhile, Maccabi have lost all four times they came across an English side, most recently against Chelsea in the 2015-16 Champions League.
Nevertheless, considering that Maccabi will be playing without away supporters and Villa’s superior start to their continental campaign, expect Emery’s side to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv
Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv betting tips
Tip-1: Villa to win
Tip-2: Maccabi to keep a clean sheet: No (They have kept one clean sheet in 23 major European games, losing nine of their last 12.)
Tip-3: Over 1.5 goals
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Edited by Bhargav