Unai Emery has the tactical nous to lead Aston Villa to success at home and abroad

Aston Villa began the season with their focus firmly placed on winning the Europa Conference League but they have barged their way into the Premier League title conversation with their victories over Manchester City and Arsenal.

The key concern at this point is whether manager Unai Emery can effectively balance the responsibilities of managing many home and away games in order to sustain an offensive on both fronts.

Villa has already advanced to the Conference League knockout stages, but a point at Zrinjski Mostar would allow them to skip a round and go directly to the round of sixteen.

Additionally, it would mean they would have two fewer games to worry about when European competition returns in February, which might be crucial for any sustained success in their quest for premier league gold.

Emery is bound to rotate his squad ahead of Sunday’s trip to Brentford but he cannot take Mostar for granted as his side needed an injury-time winner from John McGinn when they met at Villa Park in the reverse fixture.

The Bosnian club cannot qualify but opened their Group E campaign with a 4-3 victory at home to AZ Alkmaar and have been competitive in the return in the Netherlands and in the two matches against Legia Warsaw as well as at Villa Park and they will be eager to bow out with a prized scalp.

Despite an impressive run of six wins and a draw since their 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest on November 5, Villa have triumphed by more than a single goal on only one occasion, which was when they beat Fulham 3-1 at Villa Park on November 12.

Back the hosts +2 goals to win to 4/6 with bet365 with a 2-1 win available at 15/2 with the same firm.

In the Europa League, West Ham need to avoid defeat to second-placed Freiburg to reach the last 16 rather than having to play in the round of 32 and despite the 5-0 thrashing at Fulham on Sunday they can gain the required point through a draw, which is 16/5 with bet365.

Though they have their sights set on Sunday’s big matchup between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford, Liverpool, who are already certain to win the group, are 29/20 with the same bookies to win at Union Saint-Gilloise, while Brighton is 4/6 with BetUK to win at home against Marseille.

Erik Ten Hag will be clinging on to his job by his fingertips

Manchester United follow their Champions League exit with a whopping defeat at Liverpool on Sunday when the hosts are 5/1 with Sky Bet to win by more than three goals.

The Dutchman is no bigger than 7/4 with Paddy Power and Betfair to be the next Premier League manager to leave his post.

in 5/1, Luke Humphries is already the favorite to win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship, which gets underway in London’s Alexandra Palace on Friday.

Although he is currently only 3/1 with several companies, including the tournament sponsors, he is still very well worth supporting.

Rob Cross is a popular 11/4 favorite to win the draw’s first quarter and advance to the semi-finals; Gary Anderson is a simple choice at 4/1 to win the second; Michael van Gerwen is an even favorite to win the third with Betway; and Humphries is an even favorite to win the fourth with the same business. Put them in a Yankee and toast to a joyous beginning to 2024.

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