Fenerbahce vs Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are back on the European trail on Thursday when they head to the Turkish capital to take on Domenico Tedesco’s Fenerbahce.
With five wins and one defeat Aston Villa are in third place in the UEFA Europa League table, meanwhile three wins, two draws and one defeat has left the Yellow Canaries in 12th place, two points adrift of the automatic qualification places.
Domenico Tedesco’s Fenerbahce have won their last five games in all competitions, last week beating fierce rivals Galatasaray 2-0 in the Turkish Super Cup final, but Villa, so impressive in the first half of the campaign, lost 1-0 at home to Everton. That loss made it just two wins in five, in all competitions, and while Emery’s team is by no means in crisis, this does represent a blip, and Turkey is never an easy place to go when you need a result.
Talking Points
Duran cleared to face Villa
The big Europa League 2026 news emerging from Istanbul this week surrounds the availability of former Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran, who is currently on loan at Fener from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. The 22 year old was sent off for violent conduct during Fernerbahce’s clash with Ferencvaros in November; but the club has successfully appealed to have the ban reduced from two to one game and so Duran is available to meet his old mates.
Duran scored 12 goals in 55 games for the Villans, between 2023 and 2025, before his surprise move to Al Nassr where he scored eight in 13 before heading back to Europe. A strong direct runner with an eye for goal, the Colombia star can stretch a defence and make room for his attacking team-mates and Villa fans will not be too pleased to see him again so soon. And he’s not the only former Premier League star who will line up against Aston Villa. Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi scored as Fener beat Galatasaray to win their first Super Cup in 11 years and, alongside former Manchester United star Fred and Edson Alvarez, on loan from West Ham United, he joined an experienced group.
Fenerbahce currently sit in second place in the Turkish Super Lig, a single point behind Galatasaray with four wins and two draws from the last six league games; this is a team full of confidence and with the wind in their sails.
Irritated Emery wants a response
On a weekend when Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool all slipped up on Saturday, the door opened for Aston Villa to move ahead of the Sky Blues and within four points of the leading Gunners. But they blew it, losing 1-0, a result which ended a sequence of 11 consecutive home victories for the Villans. Thierno Barry scored the only goal of the game, capitalising on sloppy defending from Pau Torres and keeper Emiliano Martinez, and to see such reliable players below par clearly annoyed Emery who said: “We are still not being contenders. There are other teams with more potential than us. We lost a very good opportunity. We have lots of points. We did a very good season until now, we will get balance.”
With 63 per cent possession and 18 shots, five on target, Villa had plenty of opportunity, but they were as toothless in attack as they were sloppy for that moment in defence. Evann Guessard came closest with a looping header which bounced back off the crossbar and the in-form Morgan Rogers drew a great save from Jordan Pickford with a fierce strike.
It was disappointing but, after a superb winning run, this result was coming, Villa were thumped 4-1 away to Arsenal and then drew 0-0 away to Crystal Palace; and now they need to arrest this mini-slump.
History
The Europa League 2026 betting odds rate Emery’s Villans as the tournament favourites, with the likes of Roma and FC Porto in pursuit, while Tedesco’s Fener are potential dark horses. This is the first time the two teams have met but the hosts arguably come into the match in better shape.
With five wins and a draw the Yellow Canaries have been in fine form as the Villans have stuttered in the New Year, with three wins, one draw and two defeats from their last six outings.
Betting Tip
In my SBOTOP preview of Villa’s clash with the Toffees I said that Emery’s men were looking to regain some momentum; but they failed to do so and now must go again, against a team which is on a fine run and full of confidence. The hosts are at odds of 3.85 to win with the Villans at 2.60 and, while I think the Fener have a good chance to cause an upset, I believe the Premier League outfit will pick up a useful point.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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