Ajax, Aston Villa clash looms in Europa Conference League’s last 16

Ajax, Aston Villa to face off in the Europa Conference League’s last 16 decider after a goalless draw in Amsterdam

Famous Dutch club Ajax is set to visit English opponents Aston Villa in a Thursday UEFA Europa Conference League last-16 decider following a goalless draw in the first leg in Amsterdam.

One of the notable European football teams, Ajax, is not at its best this season in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Their title hopes in the Netherlands have faded early. So, they should focus on their European campaign for the rest of the season.

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa is among the top four clubs in the 2023-24 English Premier League. However, the Villans, a high-profile team in the third-tier Europa Conference League, are also vying for the title.

The Ajax vs. Aston Villa tie has remained locked as the first leg at Johan Cruijff ArenA ended 0-0 on March 7.

The second leg at Birmingham’s Villa Park will start at 2000GMT.

Ajax defender Tristan Gooijer and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa are suspended for the second leg. Both players were shown red cards in Amsterdam.

The winners will qualify for the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Türkiye’s Fenerbahce, among the ambitious clubs eyeing the Europa Conference League title, secured a comfortable 3-0 win at Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels on March 7 to control this tie.

On Thursday, Edin Dzeko-led Fenerbahce will host Union Saint-Gilloise at Istanbul’s Ulker Stadium.

In addition to Dzeko, Fenerbahce has many big names in its squad, such as ex-Ajax winger Dusan Tadic, former Manchester United midfielder Fred and Belgium forward Michy Batshuayi.

Fenerbahce’s Sebastian Szymanski, also a Poland attacking midfielder, is one of the integral parts of the Istanbul club that makes an impact at the center of the park. Szymanski is known for his goalscoring skills.

Bosnian midfielder Rade Krunic, who was signed from AC Milan in January, cannot play for Fenerbahce in the second leg as he was suspended after getting booked in Brussels.

Turkish central defender Caglar Soyuncu, another January Fenerbahce signing, is injured and will miss the Union Saint-Gilloise match.

Soyuncu, who arrived from Spain’s Atletico Madrid this winter, recently faced a thigh muscle injury.

The Fenerbahce vs. Union Saint-Gilloise game will kick off at 1745GMT.

The quarterfinal draw will be held on Friday.

Source: AA

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