• Go Ahead Eagles have three points after two Europa League games

• Aston Villa are a perfect two from two in Europe after beating Bologna and Feyenoord

• Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win & both teams to score

Aston Villa are on a roll and they will look to maintain their winning form when they face Go Ahead Eagles in the Europa League on Thursday.

Unai Emery has expertly steadied the ship after a tricky start to the season, guiding his side to five straight victories after failing to taste victory in their first six games.

That impressive run includes wins to nil over Bologna and Feyenoord in the Europa League and they will fancy their chances of maintaining their perfect start on Thursday, when they head to Deventer. 

The hosts have one win and one loss to their name in Europe but they have struggled for the majority of the season and look vulnerable against the improving Villans.  

Team news

Last week’s knee surgery means Go Ahead Eagles striker Victar Edvardsen has joined Soren Tengstedt and Pim Saathof on the long-term absentee list. 

Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings will be assessed but the game comes too soon for Youri Tielemans and Andres Garcia.

Ian Maatsen, Evann Guessand and Sunday’s matchwinner, Emi Buendia. should come into the starting lineup. 

The latest Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Aston Villa opened the season with a six-match winless run but have since won five games in a row.

The Villans have also excelled in the Europa League, winning each of their opening two matches to nil.

Go Ahead Eagles opened their European campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to FCSB but bounced back to win 2-1 at Panathinaikos last time. 

The Dutch side have lost three of their last five games in all competitions.

The Eagles have managed just one win in their last five home matches.

This will be the first ever meeting between the sides and the omens are bad for Go Ahead, with Villa winning 11 of their last European group-stage/league-phase matches. 

Prediction

Aston Villa battled brilliantly to secure a 2-1 victory at Tottenham on Sunday, coming from 1-0 down, and they should edge another closely-fought contest in Deventer. 

Emery would love his side to keep another European clean sheet but they have rode their luck in the Europa League, with no side facing more shots than their 36 so far, and Go Ahead Eagles can land a consolation prize of at least a goal on the night.

A win for the hosts seems unlikely, given they have managed just three in 12 matches this term, but there should be optimism that they can score at home.

Striker Milan Smit, scorer of a brace against Panathinaikos, has netted six goals in as many games and can help both teams score land for the fifth Go Ahead game in a row. 

However, any goal is likely to be in vain. Villa star Ollie Watkins is ready to start again and joins in-form forwards Morgan Rogers and Buendia in a frightening attack. 

Back Aston Villa to win and both teams to score at 17/10 with LiveScore Bet. The latest Go Ahead Eagles vs Aston Villa odds are available on LiveScore Bet