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Aston Villa vs Zrinjski: Europa Conference League tips and odds
Aaron Ashley’s Aston Villa vs Zrinjski betting tips include 49/50, 11/10 and 3/1-priced selections, with the hosts backed for a big win
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Our betting expert has provided three betting tips for tonight’s Europa Conference League Group E match between Aston Villa and Zrinjski at Villa Park (kick-off, 8pm BST). Read on to find out the reasoning and analysis behind his chosen selections.
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski betting tips
- Aston Villa -2 goals on handicap @ 49/50 with BetUK
- Over 1.5 first-half goals @ 11/10 with BetUK
- Bet builder – Over 2.5 Aston Villa goals, under 0.5 Zrinjski goals and Jhon Duran to score at any time @ 3/1 with BetUK
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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Villa can assert their authority
Nothing less than three points will suffice for Villa, whose return to Europe after a 13-year absence started badly with a 3-2 defeat at Legia Warsaw.
After a sloppy defensive display in Poland after Villa had made five changes from the team that had just beaten Crystal Palace, Unai Emery may be tempted to pick a full-strength side.
That said, this encounter comes only three days before a trip to Midlands rivals Wolves and Villa have won five of their first seven Premier League games, so that fixture may carry greater significance.
Zrinjski Mostar are fourth in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Premier League after seven matches and on matchday one they came from three goals down at half-time to win 4-3 at home to AZ Alkmaar.
Krunoslav Rendulic’s side showed that they are not here just to make up the numbers and scored four times from only five shots on target.
However, the early evidence this season is that Villa are a cut above them. Emery’s men have won all three home league games this term, outclassing Everton 4-0 and thrashing Brighton 6-1, while they also defeated Hibernian 3-0 at Villa Park in qualifying.
That all suggests they could be at least three goals too good for Zrinjski, especially with a dominant victory required after their opening setback.
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 1: Aston Villa -2 goals on handicap @ 49/50 with BetUK
Expect a fast start at Villa Park
There should be plenty of early entertainment for spectators at Villa Park and over 1.5 first-half goals looks a solid investment at 11/10.
Villa were level at 2-2 at half-time in their first European assignment at Legia Warsaw, while they were 3-0 up inside 26 minutes at home to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
That means there have been two or more goals in the opening half in three of Villa’s last five home fixtures and that trend could continue against Zrinjski, who conceded three times in 44 minutes against Alkmaar on matchday one.
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 2: Over 1.5 first-half goals @ 11/10 with BetUK
Duran can call the tune for Villa
Ollie Watkins’ presence has meant the opportunities have been limited for Jhon Duran, but the Colombian teenager could showcase his scoring credentials against Zrinjski.
Duran led the line against Legia and was on the scoresheet, taking his tally this season to four goals from 12 appearances, having also netted in home wins over Everton, Crystal Palace and Hibernian.
He looks good value to find the net again in our 3/1 Bet Builder, which also features over 2.5 goals for Villa and a home clean sheet.
Villa have scored three or more goals in six of their last 10 competitive games and they should find this a comfortable challenge against Zrinjski, who may be out of their depth on the road against one of the tournament favourites.
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 3: Bet builder – Over 2.5 Aston Villa goals, under 0.5 Zrinjski goals and Jhon Duran to score at any time @ 3/1 with BetUK
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Aston Villa vs Zrinjski team news
Aston Villa
Moussa Diaby and Boubacar Kamara are both out with injury for the fixture while Duran should come in and give Watkins a well-deserved rest.
Aston Villa predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Traore, McGinn, Zaniolo; Duran.
Zrinjski Mostar
Tomislav Kis is expected to start, despite having just a small cameo against Alkmaar for the visitors, who have no injury concerns.
Zrinjski predicted line-up (4-3-3): Maric; Corluka, Jakovljevic, Radic, Memija; Ivancic, Balic, Kozulj; Cuze, Kis, Ticinovic.
Last five results
Aston Villa
30 Sep PL Aston Villa 6 Brighton 1 W
27 Sep CC Aston Villa 1 Everton 2 L
24 Sep PL Chelsea 0 Aston Villa 1 W
21 Sep ECL Legia 3 Aston Villa 2 L
16 Sep PL Aston Villa 3 Crystal Palace 1 W
Zrinjski
1 Oct BPL Igman 0 Zrinjski 2 W
27 Sep BPL Tuzla City 2 Zrinjski 4 W
24 Sep BPL Zrinjski 2 Zeljeznicar 1 W
21 Sep ECL Zrinjski 4 AZ Alkmaar 3 W
16 Sep BPL Sarajevo 1 Zrinjski 0 L
ECL Europa Conference League PL Premier League CC Carabao Cup BPL Bosnia Premier League