I can’t trust either of these backlines at the moment, which often means leaning towards both teams to score. Villa have seen BTTS in three of their last five matches across all competitions. They did manage to keep a clean sheet against Bologna but this wasn’t exactly earned - the Italian side left Villa Park with an xG of 1.24 from 17 shots, seven of which found the target.

Feyenoord have won all three of their home games so far this season without conceding a goal. However, these wins have come against sides in the middle to lower reaches of the Eredivisie, so it’s fair to say that Robin Van Persie’s side haven’t really been tested at home yet. Feyenoord did see BTTS in both legs of their Champions League qualifying attempt against Fenerbahce with that tie producing 10 goals across the two legs.

Feyenoord scored 38 goals across their 17 home games in the Dutch top flight last season (2.23 per game). Furthermore, Villa conceded 31 goals across their 19 away games in the Premier League last season (1.63 per game) which was 11 goals more than they managed to score at Villa Park.

Feyenoord committed 15 fouls and received two yellow cards in their 1-0 defeat to Braga on Matchday 1 of the Europa League and I’d expect similar numbers from the Dutch side here seeing as Villa are one of the most consistently fouled sides across Europe.

No Premier League sides drew more fouls and cards from the opposition than Aston Villa last season. They forced Bologna into committing 14 fouls on Matchday 1, the Italian side only received one card but a different referee would have definitely produced a few more cautions in that game.

Despite currently sitting top of the Eredivisie, Feyenoord rank seventh in the league when it comes to cards (12) and have also received the joint most red cards in the division (2). This tells us that Van Persie’s side can be very aggressive without the ball, even in games where they dominate. Feyenoord received 2+ cards in both legs of their Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce a few months ago.

Ollie Watkins finally scored his first goal of the season against Fulham last time out, finding the back of the net with his only shot on target. It was a crucial goal for Watkins, who had previously gone seven matches without a goal. 

Watkins came off the bench to find the target in Villa’s 1-0 win over Bologna last time out, having three shots in the 32 minutes he was on the pitch. Watkins plays in streaks of form, and his goal against the Cottagers over the weekend could welcome in a run of goals for the Villa striker.

Watkins had 18 shots across his 12 appearances in the Champions League last season (2.32 per 90) with eight of these attempts finding the target (1.03 per 90). Watkins will be eager to improve on his early-season record, and his first goal of the season against Fulham last time out should spur the 29-year-old on to put together a decent run of form.

Bogarde partnered McGinn in the middle of the park for Villa’s 3-1 win over Fulham at the weekend. Bogarde is a very versatile player and can fill a number of positions for Aston Villa, which is invaluable to a manager like Unai Emery who is constantly tinkering with his side.

Bogarde committed two fouls in that win against Fulham, he contested eight duels in the game and provided Villa with some assurance in the middle of the park, which they’ve desperately been lacking in the absence of Youri Tielemans. With Amadou Onana also expected to be out for this game, Bogarde should get the nod to start again.

His clash with Quinten Timber stands out to me here; the Feyenoord midfielder was fouled twice in their defeat to Braga on Matchday 1 and has won seven fouls in the Eredivisie so far this season (1.11 per 90). Villa committed 16 fouls in their 1-0 win over Bologna on Matchday 1 and could reach a similar total here in a difficult away tie.