Overview
After a difficult start to the 2025-2026 season when he did not win in the opening 6 matches, coach Unai Emery has helped Aston Villa revive strongly.
The Midlands side have won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions, losing to Go Ahead Eagles (1-2) and Liverpool (0-2).
In the last 3 matches in the Premier League, Aston Villa won all 3 with a total score of 8-1, notably a 2-1 comeback victory over Leeds United last weekend thanks to a double from Morgan Rogers. This achievement helped the team rise to fourth place in the rankings after 12 rounds.
In the Europa League, Villa is currently in sixth place, just three points behind leaders FC Midtjylland. They have won three of their opening four games, including a 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Aston Villa's confidence increased when entering the match against Young Boys. In the last 5 home matches in Europe, the Villa Park team won all, and won 14 of their last 16 matches in all competitions (1 draw, 1 loss).
Stable form and strong fighting spirit make Aston Villa a formidable opponent in both domestic and continental competitions.
Playing in the Europa League for the third consecutive season, Young Boys are still trying to compete for a place in the round of 16 despite a shaky start. They have won two and lost two of their opening four games.
The Swiss team suffered a 1-4 defeat to Panathinaikos, but quickly recovered with victories over FCSB (2-0) and Ludogorets (3-2), before losing 0-4 to PAOK in the most recent match.
After four matches, Young Boys have conceded the most goals in the Europa League (10 goals) and are currently 22nd in the rankings.
However, Razvan Lucescu's side have found their form in the domestic league with a 4-1 win at St Gallen and a 5-0 win over Winterthur. They have risen to second place in the domestic rankings, shortening the gap with the top team Thun to 6 points.
Facing Aston Villa, Young Boys will enter their 14th meeting with English sides in European competition. In 13 previous meetings, they have won twice (Manchester United in September 2021 and Tottenham in August 2010), and have drawn 2 and lost 9 matches.
Notably, the Swiss team has never won away from home against an English opponent in six away matches (2 draws, 4 losses).
Personnel situation
Tyrone Mings (thumb) and Andres Garcia (undated) will be absent for Villa. Meanwhile, Amadou Onana (left) needs to be assessed before the match after missing the victory against Leeds.
Ross Barkley is eligible to play in the Europa League after replacing Mings in Villa's registration list. He will likely have a rare chance to start with Lamare Bogarde in midfield. Donyell Malen, who scored in the 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv, could replace Ollie Watkins in attack.
Jadon Sancho, Evann Guessand, Victor Lindelof and Ian Maatsen are all hoping to play, while Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres could still hold the centre-back position.
As for Young Boys, Armin Gigovic is suspended, while Edimilson Fernandes, Zachary Athekame and Facinet Conte are all injured.
Ryan Andrews, a rookie from Watford, will compete with Saidy Janko for the right-back position. left-back Jaouen Hadjam and midfielder Rayan Raveloson could also start, although they only need one more yellow card to be suspended.
Up front, Chris Bedia is leading the team with 14 goals in 21 matches this season, including 9 goals in 13 domestic appearances.
Expected lineup:
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.
The match between Aston Villa and Young Boys takes place at 0:45 am on November 28 (Vietnam time).
