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

Aston Villa travel to Switzerland aiming to tighten their grip on a top-eight Europa League berth when they face Basel tonight.

Villa arrive in red-hot form, 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 sit third in the Premier League, three points off the top, and with European progress 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, 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 UEFA Cup/Europa League away games.

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.

Unai Emery may rotate. Emiliano Martinez has started the last three European games but could be rested, with Marco Bizot pushing for minutes.

Matty Cash might 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.

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

Further forward, Buendia is pushing for a start after his last-gasp Arsenal heroics. The 28-year-old could get a shot.

Harvey Elliott will likely not play today. Emery confirmed that the youngster, who is 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 likely to rest Ollie 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.