Aston Villa travels to Switzerland on Thursday, December 11th, to face Basel in a Europa League match at St. Jakob-Park. This game pits a high-flying Villa side – fresh off a stunning win against Arsenal – against a Basel team with a decade-long unbeaten streak at home in this tournament.
Match Details and Viewing Options
The game kicks off at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT) for US viewers, 8 p.m. GMT for UK audiences, and 7 a.m. AEDT for those in Australia on Friday. Here’s how to watch in key regions:
- United States: The match will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount Plus.
- United Kingdom: Viewers in the UK can catch the game live on TNT Sports 1.
- Canada: DAZN Canada holds exclusive rights to stream all Champions League and Europa League matches, including this one.
- Australia: Stan Sport is the exclusive streaming provider for Europa League games in Australia.
Why This Match Matters
Aston Villa enters this match in strong form, having recently defeated league leaders Arsenal. Unai Emery’s squad is now a serious contender for the Premier League title, and a win here would cement their position in the Europa League knockout stages. However, Basel’s home record is formidable: they haven’t lost at St. Jakob-Park in this competition in over ten years, and have a solid track record against English teams.
This game highlights a growing trend in European soccer: increased competition for broadcast rights. Streaming services like Paramount Plus, DAZN, and Stan Sport are aggressively securing exclusive deals to attract subscribers, forcing fans to subscribe to multiple platforms to follow their favorite teams.
Using a VPN for International Access
If you’re traveling or live outside the broadcast regions, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can bypass geo-restrictions. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and masks your location, allowing you to access streaming services as if you were in another country.
Important considerations:
- VPN usage is legal in many countries, but some platforms restrict VPN access. Always check the streaming service’s terms of service before using one.
- Reputable VPNs like ExpressVPN offer enhanced privacy and security, especially on public Wi-Fi.
“Streaming rights are increasingly fragmented, and a VPN can be a valuable tool for fans who want to follow their teams regardless of location.”
Conclusion
The Basel vs. Aston Villa match promises to be a competitive clash between a confident away side and a resilient home team. Viewers should ensure they have the correct streaming subscription for their region or consider a VPN for international access. The game underscores the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, where exclusive deals and geo-restrictions are becoming increasingly common.
