Form and Line-up Freiburg
Freiburg, often referred to as the Breisgau Brazilians, rounded off their Bundesliga campaign in style with a thumping win over an unmotivated Leipzig (4:1). The side were ruthless in front of goal, although the xG numbers suggested a balanced game (1.41-1.25). That result ensured the team under Julian Schuster secured at least a Europa Conference League berth for next season – they finished 12 points short of the Europa League places. The path to the Europa League final has been a rocky one for the club. In the previous round against Braga (4:3 on aggregate), the side progressed largely thanks to an early red card for the opposition in the home leg.
Key Numbers Freiburg:
The team under Schuster have the lowest xG among the Bundesliga's top 10 sides (50.13).
In 17 away Bundesliga matches, Freiburg collected just 15 points – the third-worst record in the league.
Freiburg have conceded in nine consecutive games.
Probable Freiburg Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Noah Atubolu – Philipp Treu, Philipp Lienhart, Matthias Ginter, Lukas Kubler – Nicolas Hofler, Maximilian Eggestein – Vincenzo Grifo, Johan Manzambi, Niklas Beste – Igor Matanovic.
Absentees: Yuito Suzuki (injury).
Form and Line-up Aston Villa
After three defeats around the turn of April and May, the team coached by Unai Emery improved sharply. Aston Villa secured a Champions League place with a convincing 4:2 win over Liverpool last Friday. The side, who might have been expected to conserve energy for the Europa League final, blew Liverpool away with three goals after the break – Ollie Watkins produced two goals and an assist. The striker is in the Europa League's top 10 scorers with 5+2 to his name.
Key Numbers Aston Villa:
The team are on a three-match unbeaten run, scoring 10 goals in that period.
Aston Villa have won 12 of their 14 Europa League matches this season.
Before the 2:2 draw against Burnley, Aston Villa had not conceded more than one goal away from home for four matches in a row.
Probable Aston Villa Line-up (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash – Youri Tielemans, Victor Lindelof – Emiliano Buendia, Morgan Rogers, John McGinn – Ollie Watkins.
Absentees: Boubacar Kamara, Alisson, Amadou Onana (all – injury).
