Aston Villa face Hibernian in the first leg of our Europa Conference League play-off round tie on Wednesday, and Unai Emery has key decisions to make.
The Villa boss will undoubtedly show full respect to our opponents as they stand in the way of advancing to the group stage of the competition, and it’s imperative that we return home for the second leg in a positive position.
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Emery was able to rest Moussa Diaby, Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins in the latter stages of our win over Everton on Sunday, and so that perhaps hints at that trio starting at Easter Road in midweek.
Youri Tielemans, Diego Carlos, Jhon Duran and Cameron Archer were all given minutes, and so it will be interesting to see if that was with the view of gearing them up for a more prominent role to start our European campaign.
How much rotation will we see from Villa?
Villa certainly won’t underestimate Hibernian and John McGinn will no doubt ensure the group is fully aware of the atmosphere that awaits us and the intensity with which the game will be played.
With the possibility of being able to rest players in the second leg if we’re in a commanding position, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Emery goes as close to full strength with his Villa XI as possible for the first meeting, and so we could see a similar line-up to the one that faced Everton on Sunday.
Emiliano Martinez will of course be the safe option between the posts, and while Emery has insisted he has faith in Robin Olsen to come in when needed, this surely isn’t the game to tinker.
Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne could be the preferred back four, giving us the versatility and tactical flexibility to go three at the back in possession with our three centre-halves complementing each other with their pace, strength and technical ability.
Again, the Villa boss might look at giving Calum Chambers a start while Matty Cash will no doubt be in contention, and so it’s a difficult one to predict, just as it was at the weekend.
It doesn’t get any easier in midfield either, but as noted above, with Luiz getting a rest in the second half against Everton, the Brazilian will likely get the nod here, and that in turn could see Boubacar Kamara start too in order to maintain that all-important balance and solidity in midfield.
McGinn will of course start, but will he be deployed on the left or right? Leon Bailey came off with a knock at the weekend and has off-the-pitch issues to deal with following a reported incident with a fan after the game, as per The Times, so could the Villa skipper shift across to the right?
Diaby and Watkins were taken off on Sunday with plenty of time remaining, and so it would be a surprise if they didn’t start. The latter will lead the line, but Diaby could either continue as his chief support, or could be shifted to the wing in place of Bailey, thus opening the door for Youri Tielemans to perhaps come in?
Ball retention and control of tempo and possession will be key in this game to take the atmosphere out of the equation and give us a chance to limit Hibernian’s threat while causing them problems, but there has to be a balance with having enough physicality and tenacity to match their energy.
In turn, perhaps McGinn starts in the heart of the side in a more central position, and fitness permitting, Bailey and Diaby could support Watkins from out wide.
Add to the mix Nicolo Zaniolo, with Emery confirming that the Italian could feature having joined in group training this week, the Italian international could come off the bench to make his debut at some point, hopefully after we’ve put ourselves in a winning position.
