Zrinjski vs Aston Villa predictions: Europa Conference League tips and odds

Our betting expert has three Zrinjski Mostar vs Aston Villa tips for the Europa Conference League Group E match at the Bijeli Brijeg Stadium this evening (kick-off, 5.45pm GMT). Scroll down for the analysis behind his selections.

Zrinjski vs Aston Villa betting tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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Emery’s changes give hosts a chance

Aston Villa will feel they can walk on water after the week they’ve enjoyed in front of the Holte End, beating Manchester City and Arsenal, but this trip to Bosnia should bring them back to earth.

Those victories have marked Villa down as Premier League challengers and they are also among the big favourites to win the Conference League.

They are already through to the next stage and just need a point to guarantee top spot in Group E and a route straight into the last 16. Second spot would mean a two-leg play-off in February and two extra fixtures that Emery won’t want.

They are a short price to deliver and as Zrinjski are out already that makes sense. However, the Bosnian champions, in decent form domestically and not disgraced at Villa Park in the first meeting, which Villa won 1-0 courtesy of John McGinn’s late effort, have points of their own to prove.

The man who managed Zrinjski in Birmingham was Krunoslav Rendulic but he has been replaced by Mario Ivankovic, who is in a caretaker role but would like the job permanently.

He will also want to delight the club’s fans by masterminding victory over a Premier League power, so there is enough on the line for Zrinjski to expect them to be competitive.

They kicked off the competition with a 4-3 win over AZ – they have lost all four since – with all four of their goals coming in the second half. Against a reshuffled Villa side who can reasonably be expected to fade given the workload of the last week and the travel, take Zrinjski to find the net in the second half at a tasty 11/8 with CopyBet.

Zrinjski vs Aston Villa tip 1: Zrinjski to score in the second half @ 11/8 with CopyBet

Corner a profit on set-piece shortfall

Villa don’t have to make the running in Mostar and few are expecting a classic at the 7,000-capacity Zrinjski Stadium.

A point does Villa nicely and Emery could do with resting some of his key men ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brentford in the Premier League.

A more sedate pace may well lend itself to fewer corners, which is something of a Zrinjski speciality anyway. They have amassed just nine corners in five matches, the lowest tally in the competition.

In contrast, Villa have piled up 32 in five games, which suggests there might be some value in taking a punt on under 8.5 corners at 13/10 with CopyBet.

Zrinjski vs Aston Villa tip 2: Under 8.5 corners @ 13/10 with CopyBet

Dangerman Bilbija to make his mark

New Zrinjski boss Ivankovic will do his long-term job prospects the power of good by presiding over a decent performance against Villa, so expect him to send out a strong team.

And there is no doubt that, in Nemanja Bilbija, Zrinjski have a marksman who is a threat.

The 33-year-old skipper is the club’s top scorer this season with 18 goals, including five in Europe. He has scored six in his last seven and 7/4 to score or assist looks a tasty price.

Zrinjski vs Aston Villa tip 3: Nemanja Bilbija to score or assist @ 7/4 with CopyBet

Zrinjski vs Aston Villa odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.