Freiburg vs Aston Villa Prediction & Picks - Europa League
Europe - Europa League
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by Carlos Zabala | in Europa League Picks
Unai Emery has won the Europa League four times in the past while managing Sevilla and Villarreal. This time, he aims to win the second most important continental trophy with Aston Villa, who were crowned European champions in 1982 by defeating Bayern Munich. Wednesday's final holds historical significance for him, as they face another Bundesliga side, Freiburg. The Premier League team is the favorite according to pre-match betting odds. The neutral venue will be Besiktas Park in Istanbul.
Since the 2023/2024 season, this Aston Villa side has competed in the Conference, Europa League, and Champions League. No team in Europe since that season has won more games than the Lions' 26, and only Arsenal has kept more clean sheets since then.
For Freiburg and their fans, this final is crucial, as it could lead to qualification for the Champions League if they lift the trophy on Wednesday. Julian Schuster, the team's manager, will become the youngest coach to lead a European final in the last 24 years. Incredibly, with 122 years of history behind them, Freiburg are seeking their first-ever trophy.
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Freiburg vs Aston Villa Form
Freiburg and Aston Villa Latest Matches
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 16, 2026 - Bundesliga
May 10, 2026 - Bundesliga
May 7, 2026 - Europa League
May 3, 2026 - Bundesliga
Apr 30, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 26, 2026 - Bundesliga
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 16, 2026 - Bundesliga
May 7, 2026 - Europa League
May 3, 2026 - Bundesliga
Apr 19, 2026 - Bundesliga
Apr 9, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 4, 2026 - Bundesliga
2/6 (33%)
0/6 (0%)
4/6 (67%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 10, 2026 - Bundesliga
Apr 30, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 26, 2026 - Bundesliga
Apr 23, 2026 - DFB Pokal
Apr 16, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 12, 2026 - Bundesliga
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 15, 2026 - Premier League
May 10, 2026 - Premier League
May 7, 2026 - Europa League
May 3, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 30, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 25, 2026 - Premier League
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 15, 2026 - Premier League
May 7, 2026 - Europa League
May 3, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 19, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 16, 2026 - Europa League
Mar 22, 2026 - Premier League
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
May 10, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 30, 2026 - Europa League
Apr 25, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 12, 2026 - Premier League
Apr 9, 2026 - Europa League
Mar 27, 2026 - Clubs Friendlies
Freiburg - Aston Villa: Form Analysis
Both teams arrive in Turkey in top form; it was in the Europa League on Thursdays that we saw the best version of Black Forest this season. Freiburg reached the top 8 in the group stage, qualifying seventh, but their struggles continued in the playoffs. Freiburg eliminated Genk 5-2 on aggregate; they beat Celta Vigo 6-1 and staged an epic comeback in the semifinals to eliminate SC Braga 4-3 on aggregate.
Freiburg also played its last Bundesliga match of the 2025/2026 season; They thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1, securing seventh place in the German league, which could pave the way for European competition again next year.
But speaking of streaks, Aston Villa are also in top form; they overcame their slump at the beginning of May. On the 7th of this month, they turned the tie around in the semi-finals, handing their league rivals, Nottingham Forest, a resounding 4-0 defeat that included two goals from McGinn.
Furthermore, in matchday 37 of the Premier League, the Villans guaranteed their place in next season's Champions League regardless of Wednesday's result, as two goals from Watkins secured a 4-2 victory over Liverpool, who were considered underdogs by the bookmakers.
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Freiburg against Aston Villa Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
F. Muller
J. Huth
DefenderJ. Makengo
M. Rosenfelder
B. Ogbus
A. Jung
C. Gunter
P. Osterhage
ForwardC. Irie
L. Holer
D. Scherhant
M. Philipp
M. Bizot
J. Wright
DefenderT. Mings
I. Maatsen
L. Bogarde
Douglas Luiz
H. Elliott
A. Onana
A. Garcia
ForwardT. Abraham
L. Bailey
J. Sancho
Missing players
Y. Suzuki
B. Kamara
ForwardAlysson
Freiburg & Aston Villa Squad Analysis
In Europa League matches on Thursdays, Aston Villa's attack has been performing exceptionally well; one of the key figures behind this has been Morgan Rogers, who leads the entire competition in chances created and passes into the opposition's penalty area. Argentine midfielder Emiliano Buendía assisted Watkins for the goal that started the comeback against Forest in the second leg of the semifinal at Villa Park.
Reports suggest that Amadou Onana is working to return from injury; Victor Lindelof would replace him were it not for his foot problems, which would open a spot for Douglas Luiz.
Aston Villa knows that one of Freiburg's three goalscoring threats will be unavailable on Wednesday: Suzuki, who suffered a fracture. Even so, the Villans will need to closely mark Italian striker Grifo, who has been scoring in Europe, and Croatian forward Matanovic, who scored in Freiburg's last Bundesliga match of the season.
Most goals and assists
Freiburg
Aston Villa
V. Grifo
(5 Goals)
J. McGinn
(5 Goals)
, 
O. Watkins
(5 Goals)
V. Grifo
(4 Assists)
M. Rogers
(5 Assists)
, 
E. Buendia
(5 Assists)
Freiburg - Aston Villa Key Points
- Eight of Freiburg's last nine matches have seen both teams score
- Aston Villa generated 9 shots on target in their match against Liverpool
- Freiburg's defense made 30 clearances against RB Leipzig
- 7 of Aston Villa's last 10 matches have seen over 2.5 goals
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Our Freiburg vs Aston Villa Prediction
When Ollie Watkins is in great form, he becomes a very dangerous striker, and he certainly is right now; he's reached the final in Turkey, having scored a goal and provided an assist against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, scored against Burnley, and scored two goals and provided an assist against Liverpool.
Aston Villa and Freiburg have never met in Europe before, but the Premier League side beat the last two Bundesliga teams they faced, while Freiburg lost 3 of 4 against English opponents previously.
Our prediction for Freiburg vs Aston Villa is: Over 2.5 goals.
Freiburg vs Aston Villa - Other Interesting Picks
Aston Villa win the match
Correct Score: 1-3
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
