Aston Villa host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up for the clash could look.
Following our European exploits in midweek, spirits should be high within the group as we advanced to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League with a penalty shootout win over Lille.
READ MORE: Blow for Villa as influential ace set for suspension, but Emery says talks ongoing
However, it could be a different story from a physical perspective, as the players will undoubtedly have needed a rest after going 120 minutes against the Ligue 1 side, while the emotional element of the night would have taken its toll too.
In turn, while Emery confirmed that Alex Moreno, Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara remain sidelined, it’s hoped that there aren’t any further injury or fitness setbacks at this late stage which add to the absentee list.
Villa team news vs Bournemouth
“It’s difficult to know today how the players finished exactly, thinking how they are going to be for Sunday,” he told the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday, as per VillaTV. “Not available for Sunday is Álex Moreno, and Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía, Jacob Ramsey and Boubacar Kamara.
“I think no more, but after the match we played yesterday we have wait for the last training tomorrow and we’ll decide.”
Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz will sit out again as he serves the second of his two-match suspension, and although Nicolo Zaniolo limped off in the first half at Lille and Leon Bailey had strapping on his knee as he came off the bench to feature, it’s hoped that based on Emery’s comment above, that the attacking duo are available for selection.
Three changes from Emery, one enforced in midfield
As noted above, Luiz misses out due to suspension, and so there will be at least on change to the Villa side that faced Lille in midweek, with the expectation that Bailey comes back into the starting line-up on the right side, with Youri Tielemans and John McGinn forming our central midfield partnership again.
Morgan Rogers was also on the bench in midweek, but given how impressive he’s been since his January arrival as he continues to adapt to Emery’s demands and style, he’ll hope to slot back into the Villa XI instead of Moussa Diaby, in a similar set-up when we faced Arsenal as he could play through the middle.
If passed fit, Zaniolo may well get the nod to continue on the left, with Ollie Watkins leading the Villa line as usual, as he looks to continue his superb form this season.
The third and final change could come in defence, with Diego Carlos rested in France and with Matty Cash logging the full 120 minutes plus penalties in his first game back from a hamstring injury, Emery may opt to rest the Polish international off the back of that significant shift with Carlos in fine form and not deserving of being dropped in the league.
That will push Ezri Konsa over to right-back again, and depending on fitness levels, Pau Torres should continue at the back with Clement Lenglet on standby if he needs to sit out, while with no depth available at left-back due to Alex Moreno’s recent injury blow, Lucas Digne will complete the backline with Emiliano Martinez between the posts.