Aston Villa make the trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina to face Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday night requiring a point to guarantee a place in the Europa Conference League last 16.
At a time when the Premier League outfit have already ensured a spot in the knockout stages, Zrinjski Mostar are playing for pride having been eliminated with a game to spare.
Match preview
© Reuters
Villa began this season with their priority being lifting the Europa Conference League trophy, yet that has realistically changed now that they have entered the running for the Premier League title.
Not only do Villa sit just two points off top spot after back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, but they hold a five-point advantage in the race for a guaranteed Champions League spot for 2024-25.
Nevertheless, Unai Emery and his players will continue to give this competition the attention that it merits, with their cause having being helped by a 2-1 win over Legia Warsaw in their most recent Group E match.
That has left the West Midlands outfit requiring only a point to guarantee a last-16 place in this tournament, as opposed to a last-32 spot in the event that they lose and Legia Warsaw beat AZ Alkmaar.
In 14 matches in all competitions, Villa have lost just the once, but they have prevailed in just one of their last five away matches.
© Reuters
They also face opponents in Zrinjski Mostar who will not be intimidated by the challenge of facing one of the form teams in Europe after Villa only won the reverse fixture courtesy of a 95th-minute winner.
Zrinjski have since lost three more European fixtures to already guarantee their elimination, but their biggest setback is a 2-0 defeat versus Legia Warsaw in Poland.
Last time out, it took a penalty for AZ to dispose of them 1-0 in their encounter in the Netherlands, and caretaker boss Mario Ivankovic will feel that this is an opportunity to make a real statement.
On the domestic front, Zrinjski sit in second place in the table, seven points adrift of top spot, while they defeated Siroki Brijeg by a 2-0 scoreline away from home on Sunday.
- L
- W
- W
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Although Zrinjski have little to play for, Ivankovic may insist on selecting his strongest lineup in a bid to build momentum.
Nemanja Bilbija has scored Zrinjski's only European goal in four games and the captain is expected to lead the line.
In sharp contrast, Emery will almost certainly heavily rotate his team given their recent workload and trip to Brentford on Sunday.
Lucas Digne and Douglas Luiz may retain their places in the team courtesy of being suspended for the trip to the Bees, while Matty Cash and Moussa Diaby will likely be notable starters.
Leander Dendoncker should make a rare start, as should Jhon Duran, while Clement Lenglet is expected to return to the defence.
If Robin Olsen does not return to the squad after missing out at the weekend, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez could remain between the sticks.
Zrinjski Mostar possible starting lineup:
Maric; Corluka, Jakovljevic, Radic, Memija; Canadjija, Zlomislic; Sabljic, Ivancic, Malekinusic; Bilbija
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne; Zaniolo, Dendoncker, Luiz, Ramsey; Diaby; Duran
We say: Zrinjski Mostar 2-3 Aston Villa
With Villa almost certainly resting a number of key players for this fixture, we expect a more open-feel to this contest. Nevertheless, Emery is able to introduce quality in the final third, and that could see the visitors prevail in a thriller.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
