Aston Villa face Luton Town in the Premier League on Sunday, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up could look for the encounter.
Not only are Villa going in search of a 12th consecutive home league win as we have continued to impress at Villa Park so far this season, but following a brilliant 4-1 win at AZ Alkmaar in midweek, we’re undoubtedly full of confidence and belief.
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A win this weekend could potentially move us into the top four in the standings, but it certainly won’t be an easy task despite Luton’s current league position, as the Hatters have shown that they’re capable of digging in and getting results.
That will be the expectation in this game in that they’ll sit deep, soak up pressure and look to hit us on the counter attack for large periods, and so not only do Villa have to show quality and inventiveness to break them down, but we have to guard against that threat in transition.
We’ve shown we’re more capable of doing that in recent weeks, and we’ll hopefully start quickly and find a breakthrough early to set the tone for the rest of the encounter.
At least three changes expected from Emery
As for the Villa XI, Emiliano Martinez is set to continue between the posts and he’ll be desperate to register a clean sheet, while Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres could return to the heart of the defence after being rested in midweek.
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will continue in the full-back positions, but having impressed on Thursday, Diego Carlos in particular will be hopeful of keeping his place in the starting line-up.
Having impressed again last time out, Leon Bailey should get the nod to start on the right side, which in turn shifts John McGinn across to the left, while the usual influential pairing of Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara should anchor the midfield and look to control proceedings for us.
There will be an argument in favour of Youri Tielemans getting a chance to start here having provided an assist off the bench last weekend against West Ham Utd, while he was much-improved in Alkmaar as he produced a top performance.
Nevertheless, it could be Bailey who gets his shot for now, with Moussa Diaby returning to the XI to support Ollie Watkins up top in the final third to give us pace and dynamism in the final third, with Tielemans possibly coming in if needed to help unlock Luton and dictating possession and tempo.
Nicolo Zaniolo was in Turin on Friday to meet with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office regarding his alleged betting activity, as per Fabrizio Romano, and so it seems unlikely that he’ll keep his starting berth in the league as that matter continues to play out and he’ll hopefully be cleared of any wrongdoing soon.
Emery also confirmed in his pre-match press conference that both Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno remain out due to injury, but the influential pair will hopefully return after next month’s international break to provide us with an important double boost.
It will be a strong Villa XI regardless of who starts with plenty of technical ability, pace and cutting edge, and so it’s hoped that we can continue our fine form and climb the standings this weekend by putting on another big performance against a Luton side who will look to be difficult to break down.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Luton: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne; Bailey, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn; Diaby, Watkins.
Any changes to this potential Villa XI? Carlos to start? Tielemans over Bailey?
