In an exciting clash on Swiss soil, former Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri captained FC Basel as they faced off against Aston Villa. This match not only showcased the talents of both teams but also highlighted strategic changes implemented by both managers.

Xherdan Shaqiri has rejoined Basel on a three-year contract following his departure from Chicago Fire. 32-year-old Shaqiri and the Chicago Fire confirmed they had mutually agreed to terminate the Switzerland international’s contract on Wednesday.

Check out our soccer expert’s FC Basel vs Aston Villa predictions, prior to Thursday’s 3:00pm ET Europa League clash (12/11).

In the world of European football, few names resonate as strongly as Xherdan Shaqiri, often referred to as the 'Swiss Messi'. As Basel prepares to face Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League, all eyes are on this 34-year-old star who has returned to his roots after a successful international career.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri returned to Basel on Friday, 12 years after leaving the club where he began his career. Basel announced in a statement titled “Welcome home, Shaq” that Shaqiri had penned a three-year deal.

Aston Villa scrape past Basel and seal a narrow 2-1 win in the Europa League on Thursday, thanks to super-substitute Youri Tielemans' winner.