Aston Villa face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up looks for the clash.
Villa will be looking to produce a response after a disappointing week following a draw with Sheffield Utd and defeat at Man Utd, and so there will hopefully be a positive end to 2023.
READ MORE: What Unai Emery said on Villa’s transfer plans for January window
Boubacar Kamara remains out due to suspension, while Lucas Digne was added to the injury list in midweek after picking up a hamstring issue at Old Trafford, joining long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia on the sidelines as well as Robin Olsen and Bertrand Traore.
Emery makes two changes to his starting XI though, with Alex Moreno coming in for Digne at left-back, while Moussa Diaby returns to the side to replace Leander Dendoncker.
That in turn will see John McGinn drop back into a central midfield role where we’ll hopefully have a better balance and control to dictate possession and tempo.
Pau Torres remains fit enough to only make the bench, while there is a surprise omission as Matty Cash hasn’t made the squad despite serving his one-match suspension in midweek.
It seems strange to have left him out entirely, and so perhaps there is an injury issue which has ruled him out for this encounter.
That aside, it’s as strong a Villa line-up as possible, and we’ll hopefully see a positive reaction from the players and the right game plan from Emery to ensure we get back to winning ways and continue to solidify our place in the Premier League’s top five.
Representing Aston Villa for the final time in 2023! 👊 pic.twitter.com/jrwiszdN1O
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 30, 2023
