The first leg in Netherlands last week ended in a goalless draw, with both sides ending the match with a man less after Villa defender Ezri Konsa and de Joden wing-back Tristan Goijer were sent off in the closing stages of the contest.
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Aston Villa will play host to Ajax in the second leg of their Europa Conference League round of 16 tie at Villa Park on Thursday. The first leg in Netherlands last week ended in a goalless draw, with both sides ending the match with a man less after Villa defender Ezri Konsa and de Joden wing-back Tristan Goijer were sent off in the closing stages of the contest. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a disappointing 4-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League on Sunday, while the John van’t Schip’s men played out a 2-2 Eredivisie-draw with Fortuna Sittard last time out.
UP THE VILLA! ✊ #UECL pic.twitter.com/HWHYKb0cf3
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 14, 2024
Aston Villa went into the first-leg of their Conference League last-16 tie at Johan Cruijff Arena on the back of three successive league-wins, scoring an impressive nine goals in the process. But the clash in Amsterdam proved to be a cagey affair as both sides registered only a combined total of two shots on target, and the Lions failed to score for the first time since January 26. And then, on Sunday, Unai Emery’s men were thrashed by fellow top four challengers Spurs in the league. Second half efforts from James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and Timo Werner handed Villa their seventh top flight defeat of the season. Emery’s side are currently sitting at the fourth spot in the English top tier standings, having collected 55 points from 28 games, just two away from fifth-placed Spurs, who have a game in hand.
Ajax, on the other hand, came from behind to earn a thrilling Eredivisie draw with Sittard on Sunday. Though de Joden took the lead through Kenneth Taylor’s eighth-minute opener, Fortuna came out all guns blazing in the second-half and netted twice through Deroy Duarte and Kaj Sierhuis. Just when it looked like de Godenzonen would suffer their eighth league defeat of the campaign, Brian Bonney netted an 88th-minute equaliser. The 36-time Dutch top flight champions are currently occupying fifth spot in the Eredivisie table, 29 points adrift of the summit. Having made an embarassing exit from the KNVB Beker at the end of last year, the Conference League remains their only hope for a silverware.
Aston Villa probable starting lineup: Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Torres, Moreno, McGinn, Luiz, Iroegbunam, Tielemans, Diaby, Watkins
Ajax probable starting lineup: Ramaj, Sutalo, Kaplan, Hato, Rensch, Mannsverk, Henderson, Sosa, Hlynsson, Taylor, Brobbey
Aston Villa
| Opponents | Score |
| Tottenham | 0-4 (L) |
| Ajax | 0-0 (D) |
| Luton | 2-3 (W) |
| Nottingham | 4-2 (W) |
| Fulham | 1-2 (W) |
Ajax
| Opponents | Score |
| Sittard | 2-2 (D) |
| Aston Villa | 0-0 (D) |
| Utrecht | 2-0 (W) |
| AZ Alkmaar | 2-0 (L) |
| Bodo/Glimt | 1-2 (W) |
| Last 2 match-results | Score |
| Ajax draw Aston Villa | 0-0 |
| Aston Villa beat Ajax | 2-1 |
The Europa Conference League fixture between Aston Villa and Ajax will take place at Villa Park on Friday at 1:30 am IST.
| Aston Villa vs Ajax | Key Details |
| Date | March 14 (UK) |
| Venue | Villa Park |
| Kickoff time in UK | 8:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the Europa Conference League matches in India will be available on Sony Sport network. Besides, football fans in India can also live stream the game through Sony LIV. Meanwhile, those in UK can watch the match on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery + network. Football fans in netherlands can catch the live action via Veronica TV.
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