Sports
Aston Villa v Young Boys
Match Preview for Aston Villa v Young Boys
Aston Villa return to European duty on Thursday with a chance to take a major step toward automatic last-16 progression.
Form is finally flowing through Unai Emery’s side after a rough opening spell to the season, and Villa Park has become a difficult place for any visiting side to navigate.
It is just over a year since these two last met, when Villa eased to a 3-0 win in Bern during their previous European campaign. This time, the context is slightly different – Villa are jostling near the top of the Europa League standings, while Young Boys are battling but still very much alive in the race for the knockout rounds.
Villa’s campaign opened slowly, but Emery has steadied the ship impressively. A run of 9 wins in 11 across all competitions has reignited belief, with recent league form capped by a 2-1 away win at Leeds.
In Europe, Villa sit 6th after four fixtures – 3 wins and 1 defeat – and confidence will be high. They have won 14 of their last 16 home matches in all competitions, and no club in Europe has more home wins (12) since the start of the 2023-24 season, excluding qualifying rounds.
Young Boys, meanwhile, have taken a mixed route through their campaign. A harsh 4-1 defeat to Panathinaikos set them back early, but wins over FCSB and Ludogorets showed what they are capable of.
A heavy 4-0 loss at PAOK last time out halted that momentum, but they remain only 3 points behind Villa in the League Phase table.
Team news for Aston Villa v Young Boys
Villa are still without Tyrone Mings and Andres Garcia, while Amadou Onana will be monitored after missing the win at Leeds. Ross Barkley, added to the European squad in Mings’ place, could feature from the start, potentially alongside Lamare Bogarde in midfield.
Donyell Malen is pushing for another European start after scoring in the 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and rotation could see him preferred to Ollie Watkins up top. Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres remain the likely core at centre-back ahead of Emiliano Martinez.
Young Boys will travel without Armin Gigovic due to suspension and are also missing Edimilson Fernandes, Zachary Athekame and Facinet Conte through injury.
Ryan Andrews, signed from Watford, may get the nod over Saidy Janko at right-back, while Rayan Raveloson and Jaouen Hadjam both start the match one yellow card away from suspension.
Chris Bedia – 14 goals in 21 appearances this season – should once again lead the attack, supported by Christian Fassnacht who has hit double figures himself.
Expected line-ups for Aston Villa v Young Boys
Aston Villa: Martinez; Lindelof, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Bogarde, Barkley; Guessand, Rogers, Sancho; Malen
Young Boys: Keller; Andrews, Lauper, Zoukrou, Hadjam; Raveloson, Pech; Fassnacht, Sanches, Virginius; Bedia
How to watch Aston Villa v Young Boys: TV channel, online stream
Aston Villa v Young Boys will kick-off at 17:45 GMT and is available to watch on TNT Sports 2. Fans in the UK can also catch the game on the discovery+ app.
The stats for Aston Villa v Young Boys
- Villa have won 14 of their last 16 matches at home in all competitions
- Young Boys have conceded 10 goals in their first 4 Europa League games – the most in the competition so far
- Villa have won all 5 European home games in 2025
- Young Boys have never won away to English opposition in European football
- Chris Bedia has scored 14 goals in 21 outings this season
- Villa have 3 wins from 4 Europa League matches and sit only 3 points off top spot
Prediction
Aston Villa
3
–
1
Young Boys
Aston Villa’s form at Villa Park is difficult to argue against, especially with confidence returning across the squad. Young Boys pose a threat in attack but remain vulnerable defensively, and that imbalance could cost them against a side thriving at home.
