Aston Villa vs Zrinjski: Europa Conference League tips and odds

Belfast Telegraph

05 October 2023

Our betting expert has provided three betting tips for tonight’s Europa Conference League Group E match between Aston Villa and Zrinjski at Villa Park (kick-off, 8pm BST). Read on to find out the reasoning and analysis behind his chosen selections.

Aston Villa vs Zrinjski betting tips

Aston Villa -2 goals on handicap @ 49/50 with BetUK
Over 1.5 first-half goals @ 11/10 with BetUK
Bet builder – Over 2.5 Aston Villa goals, under 0.5 Zrinjski goals and Jhon Duran to score at any time @ 3/1 with BetUK

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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Villa can assert their authority

Nothing less than three points will suffice for Villa, whose return to Europe after a 13-year absence started badly with a 3-2 defeat at Legia Warsaw.

After a sloppy defensive display in Poland after Villa had made five changes from the team that had just beaten Crystal Palace, Unai Emery may be tempted to pick a full-strength side.

That said, this encounter comes only three days before a trip to Midlands rivals Wolves and Villa have won five of their first seven Premier League games, so that fixture may carry greater significance.

Zrinjski Mostar are fourth in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Premier League after seven matches and on matchday one they came from three goals down at half-time to win 4-3 at home to AZ Alkmaar.

Krunoslav Rendulic’s side showed that they are not here just to make up the numbers and scored four times from only five shots on target.

However, the early evidence this season is that Villa are a cut above them. Emery’s men have won all three home league games this term, outclassing Everton 4-0 and thrashing Brighton 6-1, while they also defeated Hibernian 3-0 at Villa Park in qualifying.

That all suggests they could be at least three goals too good for Zrinjski, especially with a dominant victory required after their opening setback.

Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 1: Aston Villa -2 goals on handicap @ 49/50 with BetUK

Expect a fast start at Villa Park

There should be plenty of early entertainment for spectators at Villa Park and over 1.5 first-half goals looks a solid investment at 11/10.

Villa were level at 2-2 at half-time in their first European assignment at Legia Warsaw, while they were 3-0 up inside 26 minutes at home to Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

That means there have been two or more goals in the opening half in three of Villa’s last five home fixtures and that trend could continue against Zrinjski, who conceded three times in 44 minutes against Alkmaar on matchday one.

Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 2: Over 1.5 first-half goals @ 11/10 with BetUK

Duran can call the tune for Villa

Ollie Watkins’ presence has meant the opportunities have been limited for Jhon Duran, but the Colombian teenager could showcase his scoring credentials against Zrinjski.

Duran led the line against Legia and was on the scoresheet, taking his tally this season to four goals from 12 appearances, having also netted in home wins over Everton, Crystal Palace and Hibernian.

He looks good value to find the net again in our 3/1 Bet Builder, which also features over 2.5 goals for Villa and a home clean sheet.

Villa have scored three or more goals in six of their last 10 competitive games and they should find this a comfortable challenge against Zrinjski, who may be out of their depth on the road against one of the tournament favourites.

Aston Villa vs Zrinjski tip 3: Bet builder – Over 2.5 Aston Villa goals, under 0.5 Zrinjski goals and Jhon Duran to score at any time @ 3/1 with BetUK