Basel put their impressive UEFA Europa League (UEL) home record on the line when they welcome Aston Villa to St. Jakob-Park on December 11, 2025, in a crucial league phase encounter.
This matchday six clash sees the Swiss side, currently languishing in 24th place in the standings, aiming to climb the table and secure a playoff spot, while Aston Villa, sitting second on goal difference after four wins and one loss, look to solidify their automatic qualification to the round of 16.
Basel’s first UEL campaign since 2019/20 has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and defeats (W2, L3), with their latest setback a 2-1 loss to Genk on matchday five. However, they’ve remained unbeaten since (W2, D1), including a 2-1 domestic victory over Winterthur, and both UEL home wins this season came by two-goal margins.
Under Ludovic Magnin, Basel boast the competition’s longest current home winning streak with seven straight UEL victories at St. Jakob-Park, unbeaten there in Europe since October 2015 (W8, D2).
Aston Villa arrive in superb form, extending their winning streak to seven across all competitions after a 2-1 Premier League triumph over leaders Arsenal on Saturday, Emi Buendia got the last-minute goal, a feat the forward revealed in an earlier interview that he enjoyed.
Softfootball also understands that Unai Emery’s side has set a club record with eight European wins in 2025, but their away form in the UEL is a concern, with just one victory in the last six (D1, L4).
This fixture revives memories of the 2001 Intertoto Cup final, where Villa triumphed 5-2 on aggregate (W1, D1). Basel have won five of their last ten major European games against English clubs (D1, L4), while Villa have claimed victories in their last three against Swiss teams, including a 2-1 win over Young Boys on matchday five.
Ahead of the game, key player Youri Tielemanns spoke about the encounter in a video posted via Villa’s official X account and also about his resurgence since coming back from injury.
Watch the video below:
Recent trends add intrigue: four of Basel’s last five competitive games featured both teams scoring, but they’ve conceded no more than once in their last seven home fixtures. Villa’s five consecutive wins were all by a one-goal margin, with just one clean sheet in eight away games.
Team News
Basel appear to have no fresh injury worries heading into the match, allowing Magnin a full squad to choose from as they seek to capitalize on home advantage. Key man Xherdan Shaqiri, who has scored three goals in five UEL appearances this term and netted in the weekend win over Winterthur, will be pivotal; three of his last four goals across competitions came between the 15th and 35th minutes.
For Aston Villa, Ross Barkley (knee) and Tyrone Mings (thigh) both missed the Arsenal victory and remain sidelined, while forward Evann Guessand is a doubt after a knock that kept him out last weekend.
Matty Cash, fresh from a goal and assist in recent games, with all three of his club goals this season opening the scoring, could start at right-back. Emery may rotate given the congested schedule but expects to field a strong side to maintain momentum.
Possible Lineups
Basel (4-4-2): Hitz; Tsunemoto, Adjei Adjetey, Daniliuc, Schmid; Soticek, Metinho, Fink, Shaqiri; Barry, Kololli.
Magnin’s setup emphasizes solidity at home, with Shaqiri’s creativity key in midfield.
Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martínez; Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Bogarde, McGinn; Buendía, Sancho, Malen.
Emery could opt for Emiliano Martínez in goal behind a defensive line featuring Victor Lindelöf and Pau Torres, with Amadou Onana anchoring midfield and Jadon Sancho providing flair up front.
Softfootball’s Prediction
Aston Villa’s overall quality and winning streak should edge them past Basel’s formidable home record in a tight affair. Expect goals, given recent trends, but Villa’s resilience in one-goal wins tips the balance. Prediction: Basel 1-2 Aston Villa.
