Ajax played a respectable game in the first half. The Amsterdammers gave little away defensively and posed a threat to the Aston Villa goal with some regularity. Unfortunately the final pass was often missing. Only after half an hour of play did Jorrel Hato send Brian Brobbey in one-on-one against keeper Emiliano Martinez. The Ajax striker was forced to the side on his way toward the opposition goal, and was only able to shoot for the near corner. His effort ended up hitting the side of the net.
The biggest chance of the match was a dangerous shot by the English visitors. That opportunity came after just five minutes of play from Moussa Diaby. The Frenchman was able to fire a fairly hard shot from the edge of the penalty area, but shot diagonally through the middle. Diant Ramaj held on to his attempt.
In the second half, Aston Villa seemed to find another gear. Ajax was immediately put under pressure, but did play their way out relatively easily. And Ahmetcan Kaplan was like a lock on the door in Ajax's last defensive line.
Ajax's biggest opportunity also came after half-time. That attack was initiated by Kenneth Taylor, who took possession in the midfield. The Ajax player was able to gain good distance into the Aston Villa half, and then played to Borna Sosa as he joined the play. The Croat passed back to Taylor, who fired at the near corner. Unfortunately, the midfielder's shot was at the ideal height for keeper MartÃnez.
Both squads ended the match with ten men. For Aston Villa, Ezri Konsa didn't make it to the end. For Ajax, Tristan Gooijer was shown two yellow cards. The match in England next week will begin at 21:00 Dutch time.
Ajax - Aston Villa 0-0
Red cards: 83. Konsa (Aston Villa), 86. Gooijer (Ajax)
Ajax: Ramaj, Gooijer, Rensch, Kaplan, Hato, Sosa, Mannsverk (76. Van den Boomen), Henderson, Taylor, Hlynsson (80. Akpom), Brobbey
