Aston Villa host Crystal Palace on Saturday as we look to get back to winning ways following the conclusion of the international break.
There was disappointment almost a fortnight ago after our defeat at Liverpool, but as we now prepare for a hectic schedule of five games in 14 days, Unai Emery and the players will have regrouped and focused their minds on the challenge ahead.
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It won’t be easy against Roy Hodgson’s side who will certainly make life difficult and pose a threat of their own with the quality in their side, but it’s a game that Villa will feel confident of getting a positive result from. In turn, it’s hoped that we can put three vital points on the board and start to build some momentum and confidence in an important second half of September.
Alex Moreno bench boost, Diego Carlos-Villa XI decision?
While there will be some late arrivals from international duty, particularly those who have travelled to South America, Emery will expect them to be available barring any late injury concerns.
Emiliano Martinez should start between the posts, while Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne could form the defence.
Villa have been handed a significant boost over the break with Alex Moreno returning to group training, but given he hasn’t played since the penultimate game of last season having undergone hamstring surgery since and worked his way back, it’s highly unlikely that he immediately comes straight back into the starting XI.
In turn, Digne could continue with Moreno hopefully featuring off the bench to get valuable minutes.
There was also good news earlier this week with Diego Carlos returning to work in the gym after he picked up a hamstring problem of his own last time out. That was a positive hint that his setback isn’t serious, and so while he should be available, we may not risk him in this one and give him more time to recover before our Europa Conference League opener.
Moving into midfield, John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara are slated to get the nod, and with Cash moving back into a defensive role, that could open the door for Leon Bailey to return to the line-up.
It wasn’t a particularly happy experience for the Jamaican winger on Merseyside having been replaced despite coming on as a substitute himself, and Nicolo Zaniolo is surely knocking on the door for a bigger role ahead of him as he continues to impress off the bench for us and while with Italy.
However, Emery has shown a lot of faith in Bailey throughout his time in charge, and so it would come as no surprise if he’s named in the Villa side that starts this weekend.
Moussa Diaby and Ollie Watkins will likely continue to lead the way in the final third as this is a vital game for us to get back on track and set the tone for the coming weeks, and so any rotation that the Villa boss has planned could be saved for the cup competitions.
Nevertheless, we’ll have to be at our best in this encounter to get the desired result, but it’s important that we get Moreno and Carlos back on the bench at least, with Jacob Ramsey and Tim Iroegbunam hopefully not too far behind now either.
