Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
After overcoming Galatasaray in the Champions League playoff qualifiers (4:2 on aggregate), Young Boys have proven they can compete with strong opponents. Playing at home against Aston Villa, the Swiss side is unlikely to win, but they will certainly have their chances in an open game, which suits their opponents.
Young Boys
In the past month, Young Boys have won four out of five matches, and their last league game against Lausanne-Sport (1:1) could have also ended in a victory. Over the weekend, in their Swiss Cup match against Vevey-Sports (4:2), the team attacked confidently, and the coaching staff made several attacking substitutions, experimenting with different player combinations. Young Boys have an exciting attacking duo in Filip Ugrinic and Cedric Itten, with Alan Virginius actively supporting from the flank.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa's Premier League matches at the start of the season have often been high-scoring: in three out of four games, the total over 2.5 has landed. Against Everton (3:2) over the weekend, the team managed to bounce back after conceding two goals, and a stunning goal by Jhon Durán secured a deserved victory (2.23 xG vs 0.75 xG and 17-6 in shots). It's worth noting that Unai Emery is missing injured defensive players (Matty Cash, Boubacar Kamara, and Tyrone Mings), so the Swiss side could cause problems—betting on their win is risky.
Young Boys vs Aston Villa Prediction
In Bern, we can expect a very entertaining and thrilling match with plenty of goal-scoring opportunities, as both Young Boys and Aston Villa enjoy playing open football. The total over could be hit by halftime.
