The Europa Conference League promises to be a huge competition for Aston Villa this term, as the Midlands club look to end their 27-year wait for a major trophy. The competition took on extra significance for West Ham United last term, as the Hammers managed to overcome Fiorentina in the final to end their long wait for silverware. This year, Villa will be hoping to follow in their footsteps.
Unai Emery’s European know-how makes the club one of the leading contenders in the GGBet mark, and you can find odds for all sports at the sportsbook. But, which teams could be the biggest danger to the Villains in the competition this season?
Fiorentina
Last season’s runners-up will once again be in the Europa Conference League this term, and they will be bidding to go one better than they managed in 2022-23. It has been an incredible transformation for the Italian giants under Vincenzo Italiano, as the coach has been able to take the one-time giants from Serie A back to competing for the highest honours.
Fiorentina have one again been able to strengthen their squad during the summer window, with Everton’s Yerry Mina and Liverpool flop Arthur among the stars that will be playing for the team this season. However, their attention on the European competition this term will likely hinge on how they begin their Serie A campaign.
Eintracht Frankfurt
The 2022-23 season was a huge disappointment for Eintracht Frankfurt, and that led to a change in the dugout with Dino Toppmoller now tasked with leading the huge German giants into the next era. Frankfurt finished seventh in the Bundesliga last term, while they reached the round of 16 in the Champions league and was beaten in the final of the DFB Pokal.
However, there was a huge drop off in performance levels despite much more being expected following Frankfurt’s Europa League triumph in 2022. Their chances of progression will likely hinge on the long-term future of Randal Kolo Muani, as last season’s top scorer has been touted with a big-money move to a number of high-profile clubs. However, if he remains at Frankfurt, the team will certainly be in the hunt for more European glory this term.
Osasuna
Spanish clubs have a long history of excelling in European competition, and that was evident once again last term following Sevilla’s Europa League success. The Spanish opposition in the Europa Conference League this term will come in the form of Osasuna. Jagoba Arrasate’s side enjoyed an excellent campaign domestically last term, as they reached the final of the Copa del Rey, and concluded La Liga in seventh place.
Building on that promise will be their big challenge this term, especially considering that few additions have been made to the squad. The club works excellently on a small budget, and the biggest factor that could lead to their success this term is the fact that they have been able to keep hold of their star young players. But, a European success coupled with domestic progression seems a big ask.
