Ron Vlaar has opened up on his admiration for Aston Villa trio Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz and Emi Martinez but believes Ajax can still exploit a potential weakness in Unai Emery’s side during the Europa Conference League.
Even with it taking place in Europe’s third-rate club competition, Aston Villa vs Ajax is a fixture which simply leapt off the page when the last-16 draw was made in February.
Two former continental champions going head-to-head. And, perhaps for the first time in the modern history of both clubs, Aston Villa can look forward to facing a side of Ajax’s stature and history as favourites, Unai Emery’s side flying high in England as the perennial Dutch champions face a battle to even secure European football in 2024/25.
Ron Vlaar, who represented both clubs during his playing career, is full of praise for the progress Villa have made under Unai Emery, while also highlighting the contributions of three players who set the Midlands giants back a combined fee of just £60 million.
Aston Villa face Ajax in Europe
“They already had a number of good players (before hiring Emery in 2022),” Vlaar, the former Villa skipper, tells Voetbal Nieuws. “For example, they already had Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins in their ranks. They really have a good team.
“Watkins is certainly one of (Villa’s star men). But I am most a fan of Douglas Luiz. He was really good in Alkmaar against AZ (in the group-stages) and he also made the difference at Villa Park. He chooses the perfect positions between the lines. That is a really smart player.
“(And Martinez is) a really great goalkeeper. He catches so many balls.”
Unai Emery wants another European trophy
Despite Ajax’s struggles in recent months, Vlaar is keen to point out that Aston Villa’s progress is no foregone conclusion. Emery’s famous high line, he says, should present opportunities for John van’t Schip’s underdogs, particularly if the jet-heeled Carlos Forbs is partnered up front alongside the back-to-goal talents of Brian Brobbey.
“(Villa) play very high and press full force,” Vlaar adds. “As a result, there is a lot of space behind the defence. AZ was able to create a number of good opportunities from this at Villa Park. Ajax also has to be able to attack and exploit those spaces.
“Forbs is, of course, very fast. You have to set him up. Brobbey wants to have the ball a little more to his feet, then someone can run in behind).”
Villa take on Ajax in the first leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday at 5.45pm.
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