Aston Villa face Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, and Unai Emery has named his starting XI for the encounter.
Both sides will be looking to bounce back after midweek disappointment in the Carabao Cup, while Villa will be hoping to make it 10 consecutive league wins at home.
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With European football ahead next week, it’s vital that we bounce back with a positive performance and result, as despite going with a relatively strong side last time out, Villa produced arguably the worst performance since Emery took charge against Toffees.
Naturally, as we go back to league duty, the Villa boss was expected to go with his strongest available starting line-up, and he makes several changes to the side that fell to defeat on Wednesday night.
Emiliano Martinez returns in between the posts, with Lucas Digne restored to left back while Boubacar Kamara and Ollie Watkins also return to the starting XI in midfield and up front respectively.
The change in personnel will see John McGinn move back into midfield on the right side, with Nicolo Zaniolo keeping his spot on the left with Leon Bailey sidelined by injury.
That in turn gives us the same line-up that defeated Chelsea last weekend, and it’s hoped that the influence that key quartet have, can make a significant impact and help us secure all three points.
There is a boost on the bench too as Jacob Ramsey has passed a late fitness test to make the matchday squad, and so it remains to be seen if he is involved in the latter stages.
Long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia remain sidelined, while Alex Moreno misses out again. However, it’s a strong overall bench for Villa, with Emery having crucial options available to influence the game if needed.
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