Coach Thomas Letsch emphasized the need for his team, Salzburg, to maximize their potential despite current challenges. The team faces a tough opponent, Aston Villa, in their final Europa League group match. With five losses in their last seven matches, Salzburg is currently ranked 28th and needs to make a significant comeback to qualify for the knockout stage.
Current Standing and Challenges
Salzburg’s situation is precarious. They hold only six points and are outside the top 24 needed for playoff qualification. A total of eleven teams are vying for five last positions, making the competition intense. Even a victory may not suffice, as last season’s experience shows that nine points were insufficient.
Upcoming Match Against Aston Villa
Salzburg travels to Birmingham to face Aston Villa, a top Premier League club, at Villa Park. This match is set for Thursday at 21:00. Following a recent 3-1 victory against Basel, Salzburg remains hopeful for an upset.
Match Details
- Match: Aston Villa vs. Salzburg
- Date: Thursday, 21:00
- Location: Villa Park, Birmingham
- Referee: Saggi (NOR)
Projected Lineups
| Team | Lineup |
|---|---|
| Aston Villa | Bizot; Cash, Lindelöf, Mings, Digne; Bogarde, Onana; Guessand, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins |
| Salzburg | Schlager; Trummer, Gadou, Schuster, Krätzig; Bidstrup, Diabate; Kitano, Alajbegovic; Baidoo, Konate |
What Lies Ahead
Letsch highlighted the significance of this match as a major opportunity for Salzburg, especially for young defender Jannik Schuster, who faces a remarkable environment with over 40,000 fans expected. Despite Villa being already through to the Round of 16, Letsch believes they will still field a strong team aiming for victory.
Emery’s Perspective
Aston Villa’s coach, Unai Emery, acknowledges the challenge that Salzburg presents, recalling their previous encounters. He noted that Salzburg plays aggressively and looks forward to testing his team’s depth.
Player Updates
Salzburg will be without forward Yorbe Vertessen, who is recovering from an illness. However, Karim Konate may have the chance to start for the first time since November 2024, following a lengthy injury absence.
As the match approaches, both teams are focused on securing a strong outcome, with Salzburg determined to maximize their potential in this critical game.
