Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Preview: Can Villans Live Up To Favourites Status?

Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Preview

• Вилла победит
• Более 2,5 голов

After weeks of off-field debate regarding the presence of away fans, focus finally returns to football as Maccabi Tel Aviv travel to Villa Park seeking their first UEFA Europa League (UEL) win of the season. For Aston Villa, this fixture also carries personal significance, as it falls exactly three years after Unai Emery’s appointment — a tenure that has transformed the club’s fortunes both domestically and on the European stage.

Unai Emery’s third anniversary in charge offers the perfect backdrop for this match, though recent results have taken some of the shine off Villa’s otherwise stellar record. The Villans were shocked on matchday three by a 2-1 defeat to Dutch underdogs Go Ahead Eagles, a result that dented their status as overwhelming favourites to lift this season’s UEL trophy. That was followed by a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League, meaning Villa have now lost two of their last three games (W1).

However, Emery’s men have shown remarkable resilience at Villa Park, where they’ve been almost unbeatable over the past year. Since September 2024, only Crystal Palace have managed to win there across all competitions (W23, D9, L2), underlining the fortress-like consistency that has made the West Midlands side such a feared opponent. Their only blemish in Europe at home under Emery remains a single defeat — a run that has seen Villa claim 12 wins from 14 continental home fixtures (D1, L1).

Visitors Maccabi Tel Aviv, by contrast, are enduring a torrid time on the continental stage. After beginning their UEL campaign with a respectable 0-0 draw against PAOK, they were well beaten by both Dinamo Zagreb and Midtjylland in successive fixtures, conceding multiple goals on each occasion. The Yellows’ record of nine defeats in their last 12 major European matches (W2, D1) leaves them facing an uphill battle to emulate their run to the knockout stages in 2023/24.

Domestically, however, Maccabi have been in far better form. The Israeli Premier League runners-up currently sit second in the standings after nine rounds, boasting an unbeaten six-game away run (W4, D2) in all competitions. That stretch includes five successive clean sheets, offering a glimmer of hope that they can frustrate Villa for long periods.

История встреч

This will be Aston Villa’s first-ever meeting with an Israeli opponent, adding a fresh chapter to their European story. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, have a grim record against English sides, having lost all four previous encounters, each by a multiple-goal margin.

Горячая статистика и полосы

• Four of Aston Villa’s last six home wins across all competitions came with a clean sheet.
• Emery’s Villa have won 12 of their 14 European home games (D1, L1).
• Four of Maccabi’s last five away UEL matches have seen over 2.5 total goals.
• Maccabi have kept just one clean sheet in their last 23 major European fixtures.

Key Players to Watch and Missing Players

For Villa, Морган Роджерс could again play a decisive role. The young winger has been in inspired form recently, and each of his last three goals for the club were first-half openers. 

Notably, all of his goals in European competition last season also came before the break, making him a likely early threat once again.

Maccabi’s hopes may rest on the dynamic duo of Ido Shahar и Elad Madmon, both of whom have been in good form recently.

The pair have combined for four goal contributions (G3, A1) in the UEL this term, with both players scoring after half-time in Maccabi’s last two fixtures — a trend that suggests they grow into games as defences tire.

Team news is relatively positive for both sides. Villa could still be without Emi Buendía, who remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury, while Maccabi have no fresh absentees and should name a full-strength side.

Тактический обзор

Expect Villa to dictate the tempo from the outset, controlling possession through their 4-2-3-1 system, with Amandou Onana anchoring midfield and Evan Guessand stretching play on the wings. Emery’s emphasis on structured pressing and fluid transitions makes Villa dangerous when opponents try to play out from the back — something Maccabi must be wary of.

The visitors, under Zarko Lazetic, will likely adopt a compact shape, looking to limit space between the lines and frustrate Villa’s creative players. Quick counters through the pace of Shahar and the creativity of Madmon could provide their best hope of an upset, especially given Villa’s occasional vulnerability to direct transitions.

Анализ ставок

All signs point to a dominant home display. Villa’s record at home under Emery, coupled with Maccabi’s ongoing European struggles, suggests a comfortable victory for the English side. Given that four of Villa’s last six home wins have come with a clean sheet, Aston Villa to win to nil is a strong selection.

For those seeking more value, the -1.5 handicap on Villa also looks attractive, as they have frequently dispatched inferior opposition by two or more goals at Villa Park.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3–0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

The gulf in class and confidence between the sides should be apparent. Villa’s home form and attacking depth are likely to overwhelm Maccabi, who may struggle to contain the Premier League side for 90 minutes. Expect a commanding performance from Emery’s men as they look to get their European ambitions firmly back on track.

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Aston Villa vs M. Tel-Aviv | UEFA Europa League 2025/26