Aston Villa face Bologna in the Europa League this week, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up could look for the clash.
Villa will be looking to put a tumultuous period on and off the pitch behind us in midweek, as a European night at Villa Park could be the perfect setting to get back on track with a convincing win.
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It will certainly be a difficult task given Bologna are a talented side that competed alongside us in the Champions League last season, but it’s a great opportunity to get our first win of the season on the board.
Further changes are expected from Emery as he’ll rotate and freshen things up compared to the side that was held to a draw at Sunderland on Sunday, and it’s hoped that we’re able to get on the front foot and dominate the game en route to sealing all three points.
Pau, Elliott and Sancho among four Villa changes
Given our need to get back to winning ways coupled with wanting to make a positive start to our Europa League campaign, the expectation is that we’ll go with a strong starting line-up.
In turn, Emiliano Martinez could continue between the posts despite Marco Bizot offering a more reliable back-up option this year, while Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa could continue on the right side of our backline.
This could be an ideal game to start Pau Torres though with his ability to help us build out from the back and control possession and tempo, while the energy and attacking dynamic of Ian Maatsen will be a welcome sight on the left flank.
With no indication that Youri Tielemans or Amadou Onana are ready to come back into the side, we are likely to see Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn continue in the deeper pivot, but there should be changes up top with Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho coming in to freshen our attack.
Evann Guessand will arguably benefit from consistent minutes to adapt and find his feet, while Ollie Watkins desperately needs a goal to get his season going, and so it would be the smart choice to stick with him leading the Villa line.
With our squad depth, there are naturally a list of players who will hope to force their way into the Villa line-up for this game, namely Victor Lindelof in defence, Lamare Bogarde in a defensive midfield role as well as Donyell Malen up front.
However, Emery needs to find the right balance between keeping a solid base and familiarity in the side with fresh faces, while those currently struggling for form could do with being taken out of the firing line for this one.
Time will tell what the Villa boss goes with, but it’s hoped that whoever gets the nod to start, does their job and plays to a high level in order to help the team secure a much-needed win and consequently, kick-start our campaign after a poor start.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Bologna: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen; Kamara, McGinn; Guessand, Elliott, Sancho; Watkins.
Thoughts on the possible Villa XI above? Any changes?
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