The lowdown on Ajax

Aston Villa take on Dutch giants Ajax in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.

Both sides will be eyeing a positive result in the first leg of the Round of 16 tie ahead of the return fixture at Villa Park.

Before kick-off at Johan Cruijff Arena, get to know a little bit more about our opponents…

Scenesetter

Ajax are one of the biggest names in European football, a club with a rich and storied history that has seen them win the biggest prizes at home and abroad.

The talents of the legendary Johan Cruijff led them to three consecutive European Cups in the 1970s as they became the dominant force on the continent.

The team from Amsterdam are by far the most successful side in the Netherlands, racking up a record 36 Eredivisie titles since their maiden success in 1918.

However, after a third-place finish in the league last season, Ajax have endured a difficult campaign that sees them sit 27 points behind leaders PSV with ten games still to play.

The Europa League group stage failed to offer them any respite as they finished third, six points off second place, and dropped into the Europa Conference League.

Improved league form under interim boss John van ‘t Schip has been encouraging, and they earned a 4-3 aggregate win against Bodø/Glimt to set up a tie against Villa.

Timeline

1900 – AFC Ajax is founded in Amsterdam on 18 March 1900 by Floris Stempel, Carel Reeser and Han Dade. It is the second incarnation after a short-lived previous attempt as Football Club Ajax in 1894.

1919 – After winning their first league title a year earlier, the club are national champions again after completing the first unbeaten season in the league’s history, winning 24 of 30 games.

1939 – A successful decade for the club is crowned with their seventh league title and fifth of the 1930s. All five triumphs are masterminded by English manager Jack Reynolds.

1956 – Ajax are crowned champions in the first year of the Netherlands’ new professional league, the Eredivisie, winning the title by four points ahead of Fortuna 54’.

1967 – Two years after Rinus Michel, who is credited with the creation of ‘Total Football’, is appointed as manager, Ajax win their first league and cup double, scoring a record 122 goals in the top flight.

1973 – John Rep scores the winner after five minutes as Ajax beat Juventus in Belgrade to win their third consecutive European Cup, having beaten Panathinaikos and Inter Milan in the previous two finals.

1995 – The club become champions of Europe for a fourth time, overcoming AC Milan in the Champions League final with a late goal from 18-year-old Patrick Kluivert. Ajax also complete an unbeaten Eredivisie season.

2011 – Ajax legend Frank de Boer returns to the club as manager and guides the team to a first league title in seven years. He would win a further three consecutive championships.

2017 – Peter Bosz’s team take on Manchester United with the youngest lineup seen in a European final (average age 22 years and 282 days). However, the club’s first European final in 21 years ends in a 2-0 defeat in Stockholm.

Star Man: Brian Brobbey

The young forward has been a shining light in a tough season for Ajax.

Brobbey has scored 19 goals in all competitions, including 15 in the league, to lead the club’s scoring charts.

He’s also chipped in with eight assists to show he can create as well as score for the team from his role as a lone centre forward role.

Brobbey has been the point of attack in both the 4-3-3 system employed for much of the season and the 3-4-2-1 formation deployed in recent matches.

The 22-year-old’s fine season was recognised when he won his first cap for the Netherlands in October.

Head Coach

John van ‘t Schip has helped to steady the ship at Ajax in a season that was headed towards disaster for the Dutch giants.

The 60-year-old, who has taken the reins until the end of the season, took over with the team rock bottom of the Eredivisie in October, having just suffered a club record fifth consecutive league defeat.

Van ‘t Schip, who spent five years at Ajax as a winger in his playing days, has since guided the side up to fifth in the table and reignited hopes that they can qualify for European football again next term.

The Canadian-born coach has had two previous spells as a coach at Ajax, enjoying another short stint as interim boss in 2009.

He’s managed clubs in the Netherlands, Australia and Mexico in addition to a spell with the Greek national team.

Stadium

The Johan Cruijff ArenA has been home to Ajax since 1996.

The impressive stadium features a retractable roof and holds a capacity of 55,865 supporters.

The ArenA has hosted matches at two European Championships, in 2000 and 2021, as well as the Champions League final in 1998.

Situated a short distance south of the city centre, 2,600 Villa fans will be cheering on their side from the away end.