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Aston Villa return to action in Group E of the UEFA Europa Conference League when they journey to the AFAS Stadion to face AZ Alkmaar on Thursday (October 26).
The hosts turned in another performance of the highest quality, picking up a comfortable 3-0 win over Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Saturday. Pascal Jansen’s side have won their last four games across competitions, scoring 10 goals and keeping three clean sheets.
AZ now turn their attention to the Conference League. They kicked off their campaign with a 4-3 loss against Zrinjski Mostar on September 21 before a hard-fought 1-0 win over Legia Warsaw. After two games, the Dutch outfit are second in Group E, level on three points with the three other sides in the group.
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Meanwhile, Aston Villa continued their fine run of results in the Premier League, as they stormed to a 4-1 win over West Ham United on Sunday.
Unai Emery’s side have gone four games without defeat, winning three, including a 1-0 win over Zrinjski in the Conference League on October 5. However, Aston Villa have struggled on the road recently, losing twice and winning once in four games since September.
AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
- AZ have won five of their last six games across competitions, with a 1-1 draw against Heracles Almelo on September 28 being the exception.
- Aston Villa are unbeaten in four games, winning thrice since a 2-1 loss to Everton on September 27.
- AZ are unbeaten at home this season, winning six of their 10 games.
AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa Prediction
Fresh off a superb team performance against West Ham, Aston Villa will journey to the AFAS Stadion with sky-high confidence as they look to rise from the bottom of the table.
However, AZ have been near impenetrable at home this season and should hold out for a share of the spoils in a high-scoring draw.
Prediction: Alkmaar 2-2 Aston Villa
AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa Betting Tips
Tip 1: Draw
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in five of AZ’s last seven games.)
Tip 3: Both teams to score - Yes (Both teams have scored in four of Villa’s last five games.)
