Hibernian vs Aston Villa: A Battle of Britain in the Europa Conference League

Hibernian vs. Aston Villa: A Battle of Britain in the Europa Conference League.

The UEFA Europa Conference League is a new competition that offers a chance for clubs from smaller leagues to compete in Europe.

One of the most intriguing ties in the play-off round is Hibernian vs. Aston Villa, a clash between two historic teams from Scotland and England.

The first leg will take place at Easter Road in Edinburgh on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, while the second leg will be at Villa Park in Birmingham on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

The winner of the tie will qualify for the group stage of the tournament, where they will face teams from across the continent.

Team news for Hibernian vs Aston Villa

Hibernian have impressed in their previous rounds of qualifying, beating Inter Club d’Escaldes from Andorra and FC Luzern from Switzerland.

They have also started their domestic season well, winning four of their first five games in all competitions.

Manager Lee Johnson has a strong squad to choose from, with striker Dylan Vente available despite suffering a blow to the face against Raith on Sunday.

Midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes also has a chance of being back in the squad, but Dylan Levitt misses out along with long-term absentees Jojo Wollacott, Harry McKirdy and Chris Cadden.

Aston Villa are back in Europe after 13 years, thanks to a seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season.

They have a new manager in Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times with Sevilla and Arsenal.

He has also brought in some exciting signings, such as Philippe Coutinho, Nicolo Zaniolo and Leon Bailey.

However, he has some injury concerns ahead of the game, with Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendia and Coutinho all doubtful.

He will also have to decide whether to start John McGinn, who returns to his former club Hibernian for the first time since leaving in 2018.

Hear from @Joe_Newell93 ahead of tonight's #UECL clash between Hibs and Aston Villa… pic.twitter.com/SsdFDwajtR

— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) August 23, 2023

Predictions for Hibernian vs Aston Villa

Hibernian vs Aston Villa is a tough game to predict, as both teams have their strengths and weaknesses.

Hibernian have the advantage of playing at home in front of a sell-out crowd, and they have shown that they can score goals and defend well in Europe.

They will also be motivated to cause an upset against a bigger club and make history for themselves and Scottish football.

Aston Villa, on the other hand, have more quality and experience in their squad, and they will be confident after thrashing Everton 4-0 on Sunday.

They have a manager who knows how to win in Europe, and they have players who can make a difference with their pace and creativity.

They will also be eager to prove themselves on the continental stage and avoid any complacency or underestimation.

Based on these factors, we think that Aston Villa will edge out Hibernian in a close and entertaining game.

We predict a 2-1 win for the visitors, with Watkins and Bailey scoring for Villa and Youan scoring for Hibs.

How to watch Hibernian vs Aston Villa live online

If you want to watch Hibernian vs Aston Villa live online, you have several options depending on where you are located.

In the UK, the game will be broadcast live free-to-air on the BBC Scotland channel, which can be found on Sky channel 115 (in Scotland) or 187 (in England and Wales), or on Virgin channel 108 (in Scotland) or 162 (in England and Wales).

You can also watch the game for free on the BBC Sport website or via the BBC iPlayer on your smartphone, tablet or laptop.

In other countries, you may need to use a VPN service to access the BBC streams or find other sources that are available in your region.

For example, you can watch the game on DAZN if you are in Canada or Germany, or on ESPN+ if you are in the USA.

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Conclusion

Hibernian vs Aston Villa is a fascinating match-up that promises to be a thrilling encounter between two proud clubs with rich histories.

Both teams have something to prove and something to gain from this tie, which could go either way depending on how they perform on the day.

We hope that you enjoy watching this Battle of Britain in the Europa Conference League and that you find our article helpful and informative.

Facts about Hibernian and Aston Villa