Aston Villa again turn to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) to distract from domestic disappointment, but in Fenerbahçe they face a side who have hit form of late.
Match News and Current Form
Aston Villa may have lost just once in six matches across all competitions (W3, D2), but being held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford at the weekend means they remain rooted in the bottom half of the Premier League table. They have no such worries in the UCL, where a 3-2 success against Club Brugge on matchday one was their 14th victory in major European competition since the start of last season (L2) - more than any other side. Another looks set to be on the way given that Villa have won each of their last ten European home fixtures, which is the third-best such run by an English side this century.
Fenerbahçe are hitting their stride having kept three successive clean sheets, the last two of which were joined by 11 goals across a pair of thumping domestic wins. The Yellow Canaries started a four-game unbeaten run in all competitions (W2, D2) with a 1-1 draw against Roma on matchday one in what was their first game in the main draw of the UCL since 2008/09. A failure to win any of their last eight fixtures in the UCL proper (D3, L5) threatens to bring an end to their current run, and anything other than three points here would see Fenerbahçe equal their all-time winless record in the European Cup/UCL.
Head-to-Head History
Villa have won all three prior H2Hs without conceding and have also won all three matches they hosted against Turkish opposition. Fenerbahçe’s fortunes against English opposition are the polar opposite, having won just two of their last 11 such meetings (D2, L7).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Villa have scored 3+ goals in five of their last seven UEFA matches.
At least two Villa players were booked in seven of their last eight competitive fixtures.
Fenerbahçe have trailed at half-time in eight of their last ten games in the UCL proper.
Six of Fenerbahçe’s last seven away wins were accompanied by a clean sheet.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
On target at the weekend, John McGinn is Villa’s top scorer in European competition (12), with his matchday one strike his seventh in his last ten European starts. Marco Asensio has netted in two of his last three Fenerbahçe appearances, and could now become the first player to ever score for and against Villa in this competition.
Left-backs Matteo Ruggeri and Ian Maatsen are both suffering from injury, while George Hemmings is also a doubt for Villa. Mert Müldür has missed Fenerbahçe’s last three games.
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Betting Analysis
Villa’s formidable home record in Europe makes a Villa win and both teams to score selection seem the best option.
Author: Ryan Fisher