Predicted Aston Villa line-up vs Basel (4-2-3-1) | OneFootball

Aston Villa will aim to tighten their grip on a top-eight Europa League berth when they visit Basel tonight.

Villa arrive in red-hot form after winning 13 of their last 15 matches in all competitions.

Unai Emery’s side claimed a statement win against Arsenal over the weekend, with Emiliano Buendia’s 95th-minute strike sealing a dramatic 2–1 victory.

The Villans are third in the Premier League, three points behind the Gunners. European progress is also firmly in view.

They enter matchday six on 12 points (W4, L1), joint-top of the 36-team standings. However, Basel are dangerous, especially at home.

The Swiss side has alternated between wins and defeats throughout the league phase (W2, L3).

It is worth noting that they have won their last seven Europa League home matches, their longest active streak in the competition.

A late defeat to Genk dropped them to 24th place, but they still occupy the final play-off spot with three games remaining.

Confidence is rising after back-to-back domestic wins, including a last-gasp 2–1 victory over Winterthur last weekend.

Head-to-Head: Basel vs Aston Villa

This will be the clubs’ first meeting in 23 years, since Villa’s 4–1 aggregate victory in the 2001 Intertoto Cup final.

The Villans must be wary as Basel have won five of their last 10 matches against English opposition.

Basel have also been flawless at home in this competition, with seven straight wins at St Jakob-Park.

Villa have struggled on the road in Europe recently, winning just one of their last six away games in this competition.

However, Villa have scored two or more goals in 10 of their last 15 matches, highlighting their firepower heading into this fixture.

Donyell Malen up top will likely carry Villa’s greatest threat with Ollie Watkins rested. Malen has scored three goals in his last two Europa League outings.

Aston Villa team news

Tyrone Mings (thigh) and Ross Barkley (knee) remain out, while Evann Guessand is doubtful after missing the Arsenal win.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has started the last three European games but could be rested, with Marco Bizot pushing for opportunities.

Matty Cash may also drop out, opening the door for Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof or Andres Garcia at right-back.

If Lindelof does not play wide, he could partner Pau Torres centrally, with Lucas Digne competing with Ian Maatsen on the left.

Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana are expected to continue in midfield, while Youri Tielemans or Morgan Rogers may be managed due to fixture congestion.

Buendia is pushing for a start after his last-gasp heroics against Arsenal. However, Harvey Elliott will likely not play today.

Emery confirmed that Elliott, who has been described as a ‘special player’, could return to parent club Liverpool in January.

Jadon Sancho and John McGinn are alternative options. Malen is expected to lead the line, with Emery expected to rest Watkins again.

Predicted Aston Villa line-up

(4-2-3-1): Marco Bizot; Lamare Bogarde, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, Jadon Sancho; Donyell Malen.