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Aston Villa take on RB Salzburg in their final UEFA Europa League league-phase encounter at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
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 on matchday two, Villa have won every game in the competition, sitting joint-top of the standings with Lyon.
Unai Emery’s side have won all their home games so far, scoring five goals and conceding one.
However, with qualification already secured, it remains to be seen how the hosts will approach this game, particularly with an eye on Brentford’s visit on Sunday.
Salzburg head into this fixture sitting outside the play-offs spots. They must win at Villa and hope for favourable results else.
The Austrian side lost all their away games in the competition, scoring once and conceding seven, making their trip to Villa Park more daunting.
Salzburg have never faced Villa in the UEL. They have faced English opposition eight times, drawing two and losing six.
Team news
The Villans 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
