Europa Conference League last 16 to see Ajax vs Aston Villa thriller in Amsterdam

By Can Erozden

The third-tier UEFA​​​​​​​ Europa Conference League last 16 will be underway on Thursday as this phase will see the Ajax vs. Aston Villa thriller in Amsterdam.

In the previous round, Ajax beat Norway's Bodo/Glimt, winning the tie after extra time. Ajax won 4-3 on aggregate to reach the last 16.

Ajax's English opponents Aston Villa won Group E to qualify for this round.

One of the notable European clubs, Ajax are not at their best this season in the Dutch Eredivisie. Their title hopes in the Netherlands have faded early.

So Ajax, who signed former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson in the January transfer window, will focus on their European campaign.

Ajax winger Steven Bergwijn had a hamstring injury to miss this match.

Another Ajax winger Steven Berghuis had a knee problem to be doubtful for the first leg.

Josip Sutalo, Ajax's Croatian central defender, is suspended for this match for a direct red card that he was shown at Bodo/Glimt.

This season Aston Villa are among the top four clubs in the English Premier League.

But Unai Emery's Aston Villa has several injured players for this match such as midfielder Boubacar Kamara, defenders Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings, and winger Emiliano Buendia.

The Ajax vs. Aston Villa match at Johan Cruijff ArenA will begin at 1745GMT.

- Thursday's fixtures:

Last 16 - 1st leg

Ajax - Aston Villa

Molde - Club Brugge

Sturm Graz - Lille

Olympiacos - Maccabi Tel Aviv

Servette - Viktoria Plzen

Union Saint-Gilloise - Fenerbahce

Dinamo Zagreb - PAOK

Maccabi Haifa - Fiorentina