AZ vs Aston Villa LIVE: Emery's in-form side set for tricky test in crunch clash

Unai Emery's side claimed their eleventh successive home victory by smashing West Ham 4-1 and are now just four points off the top.

But Villa have struggled considerably more on their travels, losing their only away European tie so far this season.

The west Midlanders fell to a 3-2 defeat to Legia Warszawa before getting back on track by beating Zrinjski Mostar.

That result meant that both the points and goal difference is level between all four teams in Group E.

And Villa will be desperate to put down a marker away at Alkmaar, who are just two points off Champions League outfit PSV at the top of the Eredivisie.

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AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa: How to follow

This Europa Conference League Group E clash will take place on Thursday, October 26.

Kick-off at the AFAS Stadion in the Netherlands is scheduled for 5:45pm.

The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 with coverage beginning at 5pm.

Fans can sign up to watch the action on TNT Sports for £29.99 per month. More details can be found here.

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talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with the latest.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa: Team news

The hosts will be without Mayckel Lahdo due to suspension following his sending-off during his previous Europa Conference League match.

AZ also have several injury issues to contend with, as Mees de Wit and Sem Westerveld are sidelined with foot and knee issues.

Villa continue to be without long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia.

Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno are both closing in on comebacks but this game should come too quickly for either to feature.

AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa: What has been said?

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Emery is not an elite-level manager despite masterminding Villa's stunning form.

Asked whether Villa would be able to maintain their form, Carragher told Sky Sports: "I mean maybe not.

"In terms of those numbers, when those numbers have been used over a long period of time they may even out.

"Since Unai Emery came in, they've outperformed themselves - and that might come from the manager and the belief he has given them. Ollie Watkins had a chance and missed and he said that would have affected him in the past, but then he finished late on. That is not just Ollie Watkins, that is also down to the manager.

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"The one big thing that gives me belief that Aston Villa can stay in their position is Unai Emery. When you think of managers at the elite level, I think there are only two in the league in Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

"Then there's managers that come behind who have had huge success, but maybe not any who have had the success that Unai Emery has had or the experiences of different jobs he has had. He's had nine major trophies in his career - you think of managers in the Premier League who are doing great jobs, you think of Eddie Howe."