Aston Villa face Fulham in our second Premier League Summer Series outing, with our pre-season schedule now taking us to Orlando.
After a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle Utd in Philadelphia on Sunday, Unai Emery will be looking to build and improve on that performance as we continue our preparations for the new campaign.
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With our opener now just over two weeks away, it’s crucial that we continue to give all of our key players minutes, as well as continuing to work on the positives from the weekend as well as tidying up the mistakes and issues.
Villa were excellent going forward at times as we were fluid and accurate with our build-up play, but having conceded three goals, Emery certainly wouldn’t have been happy with the defensive performance regardless of whether or not it was a pre-season game.
The expectation is that we’ll see a similar starting XI as we’re lacking depth in certain positions aside from some of the youngsters who have made the trip, but there could be some key changes as we see our new faces make a bigger impression.
Torres, Tielemans to start? Diaby to feature?
Emiliano Martinez is expected to start in goal, with Matty Cash and Lucas Digne slotting in as our full-backs once again. There could be changes in the middle though, as Pau Torres could undoubtedly benefit from an extended run-out as he continues to establish himself in the side.
With Diego Carlos also coming off the bench to partner him in the second half at the weekend, the Brazilian centre-half could get the nod here too, but it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise if Ezri Konsa was to keep his place, either instead of Carlos or possibly even at right-back in place of Cash.
Jaden Philogene impressed against Newcastle and he’ll likely get another chance to shine in this one with Diaby not quite ready to start. In the centre, Boubacar Kamara looked a little off the pace last time out and he’ll likely benefit from getting more minutes to sharpen his play up, but Youri Tielemans could partner him instead of Douglas Luiz as his classy cameo appearance last time.
After a brilliant display on Sunday, Emiliano Buendia will be itching to keep his momentum going and he’ll likely start on the left side again, while John McGinn could continue in a more advanced role behind Ollie Watkins.
Similarly to our last outing, expect plenty of changes from half-time onwards as Emery tries different combinations and tactical solutions, but there is a good chance we’ll get our first glimpse of Diaby – with the Villa boss hinting as much at the weekend – after he joined the rest of the group for training on Monday.
After his loan move to OGC Nice was confirmed, Morgan Sanson will no longer play any part for us this summer, while Leander Dendoncker isn’t expected to join up with the squad until next week after the birth of his son.
Philippe Coutinho wasn’t involved on Sunday but Emery noted he is expected to be available in midweek, while Leon Bailey won’t feature against Fulham as he will report back after an extended break due to international duty on Thursday.
That in turn should give our talented youngsters another chance to impress, with Omari Kellyman, Kadan Young, Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey and Seb Revan all likely to get playing time.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Fulham: Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Philogene, Kamara, Tielemans, Buendia, McGinn, Watkins.
🚨✅ Villa squad for Summer Series confirmed…#avfc #UTV 🟣🔵 pic.twitter.com/RrOnqTysSb
— Talk Villa (@thetalkvilla) July 19, 2023
