Young Boys vs Aston Villa Prediction, Odds and Team News: Back this 4/1 Shots On Target Bet Builder

Aston Villa travel to Switzerland tonight to face Young Boys at Stadion Wankdorf for their first-ever appearance in the Champions League since the competition was rebranded in 1992/93.

The match can be viewed live on TNT Sports 1 at 5.45pm; read on for the preview, confirmed team news, and best bets.

Aston Villa famously won the European Cup in 1982 when a Peter Withe goal gave the Midlands side a 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich.

Villa, 67/1 to lift the trophy this time around, will look to make a winning start to their campaign away to Swiss champions Young Boys, who claimed their 17th title last term. 

Villa, 5th in the Premier League, can draw on three wins from four games following an eventful start to the new season, reflected in the 3-2 comeback victory against Everton last weekend in a game they trailed 0-2 after 27 minutes. They've yet to hit top form but can take confidence from their resilience, how they are finding different ways to win, and their attacking output.

As for Young Boys, they have endured a shocking start to their title defence, failing to win any of their opening six games (D3 L3), meaning they are rock-bottom of the table. On the plus side, they have been far brighter in cup competitions; impressively overcoming Galatasaray 4-2 in the Champions League qualifiers; and winning back-to-back Swiss Cup matches, including a monster 10-0 win.

Still, it's Villa who head into the game as the red-hot 16/25 favourites to grab all three points, Young Boys are out at 19/5 to claim the spoils, while a draw can be backed at 3/1.

Aston Villa Starting XI: 

Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins

Young Boys XI: 

Von Ballmoos, Hadjam, Zoukrou, Ugrinic, Colley, Camara, Niasse, Athekame, Lauper, Ganvoula, Monteiro

First up, I'm backing Aston Villa to score over 1.5 goals at 8/15 with BetMGM.

Goals have been prominent in Villa's season so far with 13 goals (7 for and 6 against) in four games. Villa have scored 2+ goals three times this season and now have Ollie Watkins back in the goals again following his brace against Everton. They can also call upon 'super sub' Jhon Duran who already has three goals off the bench this season, including a sensational winner against the Toffees, while Morgan Rogers has been a menace going forward, despite so far being unable to convert performances into goal contributions.

Events have not gone to plan for new Young Boys boss Patrick Rahmen who has yet to record a league win. His side have already lost three times and have conceded an alarming 14 goals in just six matches. Their defence is certainly there for the taking, conceding in eight of their 10 games in all competitions this season, while they've leaked in 2+ goals seven times, including in three of their four home matches. 

It certainly represents a favourable opening fixture for Villa who are fully capable of claiming the win and scoring a few goals in the process.

Aston Villa got a taste for European football once more last term when they reached the Conference League semi-finals. In manager Unai Emery they have a successful and seasoned manager - with four Europa League trophies in the cabinet - who knows first-hand what it takes to get the job on the road in the continent.

Villa have found a way to win in three of their four league games so far this term and look in a good position to secure three points against struggling Young Boys who are far from their best right now. I will therefore be backing an away win, alongside three players to have Over 0.5 Shots On Target to form a 4/1 Bet Builder with BetMGM.

OIlie Watkins rediscovered his goalscoring touch over the weekend in his two goal haul and has six SOT (shots on target) in four games this season, while he netted five goals in Europe last term.

Watkins' Villa teammate Morgan Rogers has enjoyed a very impressive start to the season. While he's not yet carved out an assist or goal he's been a hugely influential component of Villa's attacking play and certainly passes the eye test: against Everton he had four shots, three of which were on target. It's surely only a matter of time until his performances result in a goal, but for Tuesday night it's just another SOT that we need for the Bet Builder.

Finally, I turn to the home teamsheet where I'm after a SOT from Silvere Ganvoula who, despite his side's underwhelming displays, has managed to score three goals in six games this season, with five shots on target in four league games. He looks well worth backing to have at least one SOT tonight given that he is on home soil against a Villa side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 straight games dating back to April.