Aston Villa face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up looks for the encounter.
After securing four consecutive wins across all competitions, Villa will hope to continue our excellent form at the Vitality Stadium, but it will be a tricky game given the hosts have found some form of their own in recent weeks.
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Prior to the meeting, Emery conceded that Ollie Watkins was a doubt after picking up a small knock in training in midweek, which in turn forced him to sit out the win over Legia Warszawa.
As a result, the focus was on whether or not he would recover in time to make the Villa XI for Sunday, while there was also another enforced change in midfield with Boubacar Kamara ruled out due to suspension.
As per the club’s tweet below, there was a major boost up front as Watkins passed his late fitness test and starts, while Emery has opted to make three changes to the side that won at Tottenham last Sunday.
In come Youri Tielemans, Leon Bailey and Nicolo Zaniolo for Kamara, Matty Cash and Moussa Diaby respectively, and so although there are multiple changes, that remains a strong Villa XI to try and secure all three points.
With 12 goals and seven assists in 20 appearances across all competitions so far this season, it’s a huge lift for us to see Watkins named in the side, and so it’s now hoped that he can come through unscathed and put in a strong performance to help us keep our positive run of form going.
There are perhaps question marks over whether or not we have enough physicality in midfield with both Tielemans and Luiz starting alongside each other, but given the tactical tweak from the Villa boss with the changes he’s made and the personnel involved, it’s hoped that we have the right balance to dictate and control the game and get the win.
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