Aston Villa face Crystal Palace in our final game of the 2023/24 Premier League season, and Unai Emery has key decisions to make on his starting line-up.
A depleted Villa squad travels to Selhurst Park this weekend with eight first-team players sidelined by injury, as Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, Nicolo Zaniolo, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara will all miss out.
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Despite our horrendous luck with injuries all season, the rest of the squad has done a magnificent job to take us to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League and secure fourth place in the Premier League, thus sealing a spot in the Champions League next season.
However, with tired players across the squad after what has been a gruelling campaign, does Emery go with his strongest possible XI one final time before the summer, or does he rotate and give several of them a well-earned rest ahead of potential involvement in EURO 2024 in a few weeks time?
Some decisions arguably make themselves, as with Ollie Watkins chasing a 20th league goal this season, he’ll likely be itching to start and get on the scoresheet to cap off what has been a superb season both individually and as a collective.
That pick aside though, Emery could opt to rest the likes of Ezri Konsa, John McGinn and Leon Bailey, and perhaps bring them on if needed to ensure we finish the season on a positive note.
While we’ll no doubt be striving to secure all three points to break the 70-point mark, it would be great to see a trio of our most talented youngsters get an opportunity to gain valuable experience, continue their adaptation with much-needed playing time and showcase their ability and potential ahead of another big season next year.
After being recalled from his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle in January, Kaine Kesler-Hayden has spent the last four months training with the senior squad, has been involved in matchday squads and has made three, albeit very brief, appearances in a Villa shirt.
The 21-year-old was one of our brightest talents at youth level, and having had time to adapt, understand Emery’s demands both tactically and physically, coupled with Cash’s absence and Konsa’s fitness to consider, it would be great to see him get his first start.
There’s a lot to like about what he adds offensively down the right flank and so in that sense he’ll suit Emery’s style and structure, but he needs playing time to fully integrate and settle, and he’ll hopefully get at least a significant run out off the bench at Palace this weekend.
Further, the same could be said for Tim Iroegbunam. Given our absentees in midfield and the need for him to build on his 14 outings this season to make that step up now to be an important depth option at senior level, the 20-year-old would certainly benefit from a prominent role on Sunday.
That could in turn give McGinn a chance to rest ahead of the Euros, or give Emery the tactical flexibility to deploy the Scottish international in a more advanced role with Iroegbunam partnering Dougas Luiz in the pivot, and so whichever way he’s utilised, this feels like as good a time as any to give him another chance to make an impression.
Another young player who has been involved at senior level this season is Omari Kellyman, with the 18-year-old featuring five times for the first-team, but again, briefly on most occasions, while being heavily involved in training with the senior group.
This one is perhaps a more difficult one to facilitate, particularly if Iroegbunam gets priority as he’s further ahead in his development, but with Bailey wearing heavy strapping on his knee for weeks now, if there is a risk of him worsening his issue, perhaps Kellyman can emerge as an option to replace him.
Realistically, Emery will likely go with experience and his strongest possible XI to respect the opposition and competition. If that is the case, then the hope is that the trio named above will at least get a significant part of the second half to come on and leave their mark, as it’s vital we continue to bring through our Academy products and have that balance in the squad.