Hibernian vs Aston Villa Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 22/08/2023, 10:34  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 23/08/2023 at 04:45 in Conference League Prediction

It's a Battle of Britain in the Europa Conference League play-off round. Hibernian from the Scottish Premiership host English Premier League side Aston Villa in the home first leg. The winners of this tie go into the Europa Conference League group stages. Hibernian haven't had a great deal of European glory in the past half century.  They did get to the last four of the European Cup and the Fairs Cup and then exactly 50 years ago they made  it to the last eight of the European Cup Winners Cup. They have never reached the group stages of a European competition. This is the first time they have made it to a play-off round since it was introduced. They have had to get wins over Inter Club d'Escaldes and Luzern to reach this stage. It's not been all clear sailing though with an away loss to d'Escaldes from Andorra. Both their home games have been won. Hibs have lost both of their opening two Scottish Premiership games and are one from bottom in the table.

Aston Villa had an excellent second half of last season. The Lions were battling relegation at one stage but the arrival of UnaI Emery transformed them. A final day win over Brighton saw them finish seventh to qualify for the Europa Conference League. Their new season started poorly with a 5-1 thrashing at Newcastle United. It was better last weekend though when the Villains beat Everton 4-0 at home. Villa are former European champions but this is their first time in European competition since 2011. The English Premier League is far stronger than the Scottish Premiership and we go for Villa to win this first leg.