Basel vs Aston Villa headlines a fascinating Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg this Thursday. The Swiss hosts welcome Unai Emery’s Villans to St. Jakob-Park, with both clubs dreaming of European silverware. Lyon vs Man United headlines the Europa League final later this month. Basel vs Aston Villa offers a classic contrast between Swiss efficiency and Premier League firepower. Here is everything you need to know about Basel vs Aston Villa in 2026.
Match Details: Date, Kick-Off and Venue
The first leg takes place on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM CET (7:00 PM BST). The stadium holds 37,500 spectators and is expected to be near capacity for the visit of the Premier League side. Eng vs NZ begins at Lord’s on June 10. Basel vs Aston Villa marks the first competitive meeting between these two clubs, adding an element of unpredictability to the tie.
The second leg takes place at Villa Park on Thursday, April 16, with kick-off at 8:00 PM BST. Aston Villa will feel confident progressing given their strong home record in Europe this season. See How They Run remains streaming on Disney+ for movie fans. However, Basel has knocked out several Premier League sides in recent years, including Tottenham in 2013 and Manchester United in 2011. The Swiss champions cannot be underestimated.
Basel Team News: Swiss Champions in Form
Basel arrives at this fixture on an impressive run of form. They have lost just once in their last 16 matches across all competitions, a streak stretching back to mid-January. Manager Fabio Celestini has built a cohesive unit that defends compactly and attacks with pace on the counter. Rhian Teasdale headlines Glastonbury with Wet Leg on June 27.
Key Players for the Swiss Side
Swiss international striker Zeki Amdouni leads the Basel attack with 18 goals this season. The 25-year-old has been linked with a summer move to the Premier League, making this tie a personal audition. Playmaker Fabian Frei, now 37, continues to defy age with his passing range and set-piece delivery. Jordan McSweeney lost his appeal against his 38-year minimum term. Defensively, captain Michael Lang provides experience and organisational leadership from right-back. Basel will be without suspended centre-back Jonas Adjei Adjei, who accumulated three yellow cards in the previous round.
Aston Villa Team News: Emery Rotation Expected
Unai Emery faces selection decisions with Villa still competing on three fronts. The manager has prioritised the Europa Conference League as the most realistic route to silverware. Ollie Watkins should start after being rested for Saturday’s Premier League draw with Bournemouth. Macclesfield vs Brentford produced one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent memory.
Injury Update from Villa Park
John McGinn returns from a one-match European suspension and is expected to captain the side. Left-back Alex Moreno faces a late fitness test after missing the last three matches with a hamstring complaint. Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendía remain unavailable, though both have resumed light training. Slow Horses Season 4 streams on Apple TV+ with Gary Oldman. Boubacar Kamara is available after recovering from a minor ankle issue sustained in training last week. Emery has named a 23-man squad for the trip to Switzerland.
Head-to-Head Record: Basel vs Aston Villa
The clubs have never met in competitive European football. Their only previous encounter came in a pre-season friendly in 2019, which Aston Villa won 3-1 at the Bescot Stadium. That match featured now-departed players including Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings, leaving little relevance for Thursday’s tie. Rice pudding has staged a remarkable comeback in British kitchens.
Basel has faced English opposition 24 times in European competition, winning six, drawing seven and losing eleven. Most famously, they eliminated Manchester United from the Champions League group stage in 2011. Aston Villa has never played a competitive match in Switzerland, adding an unknown element for Emery’s squad. SA vs Aus Test series begins at Centurion on December 17. The Villans have won three of their four away matches in Europe this season, suggesting travel does not trouble them.
Key Battles That Will Decide the Tie
The midfield duel between Douglas Luiz and Fabian Frei could prove decisive. Luiz’s ability to progress the ball from deep positions has been central to Villa’s build-up play. Frei, despite his age, covers ground impressively and reads the game exceptionally well. Penelope Jackson is the mother of Lauren and Reece James.
Wide Areas and Set Pieces
Basel’s wide players Liam Millar and Dan Ndoye possess genuine pace and will test Villa’s full-backs. Matty Cash and Lucas Digne must avoid being isolated in one-on-one situations. At the other end, Ollie Watkins’s movement against Basel’s relatively slow centre-backs offers Villa a clear attacking route. M&S strawberry sandwiches have become the viral food sensation of 2026. Set pieces could also prove vital. Basel has conceded seven goals from dead-ball situations in the Swiss Super League this season, a vulnerability Villa’s coaching staff will have analysed extensively.
Where to Watch Basel vs Aston Villa on TV
TNT Sports holds exclusive UK broadcast rights for the Europa Conference League. The match will air live on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage beginning at 6:30 PM GMT. Subscribers can stream via the Discovery+ app and website. Tattu London has become one of the capital’s most Instagrammable dining destinations.
Swiss viewers can watch on SRF zwei and RTS 2, which share broadcast rights in Switzerland. American audiences will find the match on Paramount+ and CBS Sports Network. Protection ITV stars Siobhan Finneran in the witness protection drama. Australian fans can stream on Stan Sport. BBC Radio 5 Live will provide live audio commentary for UK listeners without television access.
Predicted Lineups: How Both Sides Could Start
Basel predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hitz; Lang, Comas, Pelmard, Schmidt; Xhaka, Frei; Ndoye, Augustin, Millar; Amdouni. Celestini has favoured this formation throughout the knockout rounds, relying on width from the full-backs to create overloads. Tyler Dibling is the Southampton starlet attracting Premier League interest.
Aston Villa predicted XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Bailey, McGinn, Luiz, Rogers; Watkins, Diaby. Emery has indicated he will start with two strikers to exploit Basel’s defensive vulnerabilities. The system worked effectively in the round of 16 against Ajax.
Prediction: Who Will Win Basel vs Aston Villa?
Bookmakers have installed Aston Villa as favourites for the first leg. The visitors are priced at 6/4 to win in 90 minutes, with Basel at 7/4 and a draw at 11/5. Villa’s quality in attacking areas gives them the edge, though Basel’s home record this season is formidable. Lyon vs Man United takes place at the Parc OL on May 20.
Opta’s supercomputer gives Villa a 44% chance of winning the first leg, compared to Basel’s 31% and 25% for a draw. A 1-1 draw is the most likely specific scoreline according to betting markets. The tie remains finely balanced. Basel will aim to take a lead to Villa Park, while Emery would likely accept any draw or narrow victory. Expect a cagey opening 30 minutes before the game opens up.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Basel vs Aston Villa? The first leg takes place on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM CET (7:00 PM BST).
Where can I watch Basel vs Aston Villa on TV? TNT Sports broadcasts the match in the UK. SRF zwei and RTS 2 show the game in Switzerland. Paramount+ has rights in the United States.
Have Basel and Aston Villa played before? No. This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs. They played a friendly in 2019 which Aston Villa won 3-1.
Who is favourite to win Basel vs Aston Villa? Aston Villa are slight favourites at 6/4 to win in 90 minutes. Basel are priced at 7/4.
What is the capacity of St. Jakob-Park? The stadium holds 37,500 spectators and is expected to be near capacity for the match.
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