Lions versus Wiiings: Aston Villa v Red Bull Salzburg match preview and team news

Villa complete their league phase campaign in the 2025/26 Europa League

It’s been a busy few days in the transfer window but there is a football match on the way to distract us all from the core business of player trading.

Aston Villa have one game left in the league phase of the 2025/26 Europa League and welcome Austrian Bundesliga leaders Red Bull Salzburg to Villa Park on Thursday night.

Villa have already cleared their first Europa League hurdle. Last week’s win against Fenerbahçe secured a top-eight finish and their berth in the round of 16 without the need for a two-legged play-off tie against god knows who.

That won’t be enough for manager Unai Emery. Finishing in the top two of the 36-team table would give Villa home advantage for the remainder of their participation in the tournament and that’s a prize that makes it worth staying in the game on Thursday.