Battle in the borders: Basel v Aston Villa match preview and team news

Villa are off to Switzerland – just – for their sixth Europa League match of 2025/26

Right at the spot where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, the best team in the Premier League will continue its quest for European glory.

Aston Villa have won four of their first five Europa League matches but it won’t be lost on manager Unai Emery that the only defeat came in a winnable away fixture against competent opposition on their own patch.

Basel, Villa’s opponents on Thursday night, are certainly that. Basel is a club with a ton of European football experience. Despite their position in the Europa League Übertisch, the Swiss Super League outfit have a flawless home record in the league phase so far.

Villa are riding the crest of a wave. After Saturday’s dramatic win against Arsenal in the Premier League, Emery’s men finished the weekend in third place with two possible routes back into the Champions League very much open and both in their hands.