Aston Villa return to the Netherlands on Thursday as they resume UEFA Europa League action against Go Ahead Eagles.
The Villans travel to Deventer to face the Dutch side at Stadion De Adelaarshorst on Matchday 3.
Unai Emery’s side head into the encounter on the back of five successive wins in all competitions, including a maximum six points in their first two European matches of the campaign at home to Bologna and Feyenoord in Rotterdam.
Go Ahead are currently on three points in the league phase standings having lost at home to FCSB on Matchday 1 before winning 2-1 at Panathinaikos last time out.
Here’s a closer look at this week’s opponents…
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles originated in the early 20th century. In 1902, the Be Quick football club was founded.
In 1905/1906, the club joined the NVB (now the KNVB). At the request of the football association, the name had to be changed to Go Ahead (due to the existence of Be Quick Groningen), and the club colours were chosen as red and yellow.
Following early success, including a first national championship in 1917, the next highlight came in 1920, when Go Ahead acquired its own playing field, aan den Brinkgreven. The club still plays its matches there to this day.
Go Ahead celebrated national titles again in 1922, 1930 and 1933, while the name Go Ahead Eagles was introduced in 1971.
On the back of a frustrating period for the club, long-awaited promotion back to the Eredivisie finally came in 2012/2013 under Erik ten Hag after 17 years in the Eerste Divisie.
Subsequent years of relegation and promotion has ultimately seen Go Ahead establish themselves as an Eredivisie side for the last five seasons.
The 2024/25 campaign saw an impressive seventh-placed finish in the Eredivisie and a first appearance in the KNVB Cup final since 1965, subsequently triumphing over AZ Alkmaar on penalties to win the trophy for the first time and secure their place in the Europa League.
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
Melvin Boel became head coach in June 2025, replacing Paul Simonis following his departure for Wolfsburg.
The Dutchman arrived from FC Dordrecht having gained experience with Feyenoord’s Academy and BVCB.
Boel’s first match saw Go Ahead lose out 2 –1 to PSV Eindhoven in the Johan Cruyff Shield in August.
He has overseen nine Eredivisie matches so far this season, with the club sitting in 12th place having won two, drawn four and lost three.
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
Villa are one of seven teams with maximum points in the Europa League and among three sides yet to concede so far in this season’s competition.
Go Ahead forward Milan Smit will have his sights set on ending our defensive stubbornness after striking twice in the club’s first-ever Europa League win on Matchday 2, Dean James claiming both assists.
Smit has bagged four goals in the league this season, with Melle Meulensteen having found the net three times.
Jakob Breum and Victor Edvardsen have each registered two assists, creating 26 chances between them domestically.
Goalkeeper Jari De Busser has made the most saves in the Eredivisie this season (39).
Their Home
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
De Adelaarshorst (Eagles Nest) is home to Go Ahead Eagles and has a capacity of almost 10,000.
A new football field, ‘aan den Brinkgreven’, was opened in 1920 at the site where Go Ahead Eagles still play today.
The club’s record attendance came on September 29, 1965 against Celtic, when 25,000 spectators attended their European encounter.
The Adelaarshorst stadium, updated in the summer of 2015, is located in the middle of a residential area, with all four stands close to the pitch. The Deventer-based outfit fly sea eagle Harley before home fixtures.
Go Ahead Eagles
Go Ahead Eagles
As was the case in August’s Johan Cruyff Shield, Go Ahead fell to a 2 –1 defeat against PSV Eindhoven last Saturday.
The Dutch club were previously on a two-match unbeaten sequence, although it’s been a mixed start to the 2025/26 campaign.
One win and one defeat so far in Europe is combined with a balanced league start (W2, D4, L3), scoring 15 times and conceding 16 in the process.
Boel’s side did secure a 2-2 draw against Dutch giants Ajax earlier in the season.