Robin Van Persie has justified his management style by leading this Feyenoord side to the top of the Eredivisie standings after seven games on board. The former champions have accumulated 19 points from a possible 21 points so far, which includes the narrow win over Groningen.
De Trots van Zuid were on the scoresheet to secure the points, and now, van Persie will focus on their UEFA Europa League campaign. The Feyenoord boss will hope his team does better than they did in the opening game of this competition, following a narrow 1-0 loss away to Portuguese side SC Braga.
That result would not have come as a surprise to their fans, given they have only secured a single victory in 20 Europa League away games. However, their home form does offer encouragement as Feyenoord are unbeaten in their last six games across all competitions. However, the clash with Aston Villa will not be cut and dry, as the English opposition will offer a stiff test.
Unai Emery will be relieved at the moment, given how Aston Villa started their season and how they are currently faring. After a run of six games without a win since the start of the season, Aston Villa had also failed to score in four of those, but have since improved to the liking of their fans.
The disappointing draw against Sunderland a few weeks prior asked big questions about Emery and what he could do to improve their fortunes. The Spanish tactician has since responded with a 1-0 win over Bologna to open their Europa League account, and then followed it up with a 3-1 home win over Fulham at the weekend.
The game was stirred into controversy following a few VAR calls, and Aston Villa could count themselves a bit fortunate to take all three points. Goals from Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Emiliano Buendia proved enough to secure the win. While the Villans are building momentum with those two wins, the upcoming visit to Feyenoord will be a stern test of character, given they have won none of their four games on the road this season.
Robin van Persie does not have a clean bill of health with his squad, as defender Malcolm Jeng is expected to sit out a lengthy spell following surgery to rectify a lower leg problem suffered during the win over Groningen.
The Swede is not the only one out, as Gernot Trauner, Thomas Beelen, and Jakub Moder are all sidelined with different problems. On the positive side, Anel Ahmedhodzic is available, as his suspension is meant to be domestic, and he will be set for a starting role in van Persie’s lineup.
The Feyenoord boss will trust Quentin Timber to keep hold of proceedings in midfield alongside Oussama Targhalline. Robin van Persie will also use the combination of Goncalo Borges, Sem Steijn, and Gaoussou Diarra to provide the ammunition in the attack, with Ayase Ueda spearheading the Feyenoord attack against Aston Villa.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Nieuwkoop, Ahmedhodzic, Watanade, Bos; Timber, Targhalline; Borges, Steijn, Diarra; Ueda
Unai Emery will hope to have key midfielder and skipper John McGinn available for this tricky European away tie, after the Scottish international admitted he wanted to come off at half-time against Fulham owing to a knock. While there is an expectation that the captain will be fit enough to start, Emery has other problems to contend with.
Tyrone Mings came off injured against Fulham as he is a major doubt for this trip, while others like key midfield trio Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley remain sidelined for the time being.
Pau Torres came on for Mings at the weekend, and Emery could select his compatriot to partner alongside Ezri Konsa in the heart of the defence. However, summer arrival Victor Lindelof is also an option for the manager to consider.
Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen will take up the full-back roles, while McGinn and Boubacar Kamara are expected to marshal the central midfield zones. Morgan Rogers has come in for criticism of late, but he should be a sure starter for Emery, while Evann Guessand and Jadon Sancho will provide the width, with Ollie Watkins leading the line for Aston Villa against Feyenoord.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Kamara; Guessand, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins
Morgan Rogers, in particular, will be relieved that his teammates came clutch against Aston Villa at the weekend, as the win brings a change of momentum. The English attacker has received some criticism over his performances this season, which have been truly below the expectations placed on his shoulders.
However, the game away at Feyenoord will be a good opportunity for the attacker to showcase his talents and get the weight off his shoulders. He will hope to produce a performance worthy enough to secure the points at Feyenoord, which will also mark Aston Villa’s first away win of the season across all competitions.
Feyenoord may rely on home form to get something out of this game, although their record against some strong continental opposition at the venue is mixed. There are some memorable results to take inspiration from, and given their overall form under Robin van Persie, it is rather a safe bet to assume they can manage not to lose against Aston Villa.
As for Unai Emery’s charges, there is the element of carrying positive momentum into this game, but their dreadful form away from home speaks volumes. Their recent results as well as their record against Dutch sides place Aston Villa as the ever-so-slight favourites, but this game might end in an eventful draw, with both teams likely to share the spoils.
