"Aston Villa can afford to make changes for tomorrow night's Europa League clash with Salzburg having already secured their place in the round of 16 without the need to compete in the playoffs next month. Unai Emery's men have mirrored their impressive Premier League form in Europe's second tier competition and currently sit second in the standings behind Lyon having won six of their seven games. Only Villa and the Ligue 1 side are guaranteed to finish in the top eight ahead the final round of fixtures."
"A game free of jeopardy - and travel - has enabled Villa to focus on transfer matters in the final days of the January transfer window. Tammy Abraham has completed a move back to Villa Park from Besiktas while another former Villa hero Douglas Luiz is reportedly on the verge of joining from Juventus with the Turin club set to terminate his current loan deal at Nottingham Forest."
"Unlike Villa, Salzburg have plenty to play for. The Austrian side will start the night in 28th place and needing to make up a two-point deficit if they are to stand any chance of securing a playoff spot awarded to the top 24-placed teams. Their hopes were boosted by the 3-1 defeat of Basel last week in what was their first competitive game since December with the domestic league on a winter break."
Aston Villa have secured a place in the Europa League last 16, sitting second in their group after winning six of seven matches and trailing only Lyon. The guaranteed qualification allows squad rotation and attention on January transfer activity, including the return of Tammy Abraham and a potential Douglas Luiz deal from Juventus; neither will play against Salzburg. Red Bull Salzburg sit 28th and need points to retain any hope of reaching the playoff positions, with momentum from a 3-1 win over Basel. Villa face midfield injury issues with Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara sidelined.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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