Aston Villa face Valencia in our final pre-season game this summer, and Unai Emery is expected to put out what could be our starting line-up in our Premier League season opener.
The Villa boss has done an excellent job of balancing out minutes across the squad all summer, but it’s now important for what could be our initial established XI to really settle for the new season and get an important 90-minute run-out.
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We saw a number of key players start on the bench in midweek against Lazio, and although we impressed regardless of their absences and managed to introduce many of them as the game went on, changes are expected at the Mestalla as we hope to sign off on the 2023 pre-season schedule in positive fashion.
Villa have produced a string of promising performances to date, and while the real test will come next weekend when we travel to Newcastle Utd to begin the new campaign, it’s important to build confidence and positivity as we embark on a big year.
Martinez, Mings to come into Villa XI
Emiliano Martinez is undoubtedly expected to start against Valencia as he comes in to replace Robin Olsen, while Tyrone Mings is likely to get the nod in defence too as Emery could go with a tried and tested backline.
Mings could be partnered by Ezri Konsa in a familiar looking centre-half partnership, but much will depend on if Emery prefers to deploy the latter on the right side of the defence, with Lucas Digne given freedom to push forward on the opposite flank.
That in turn could leave the door open for Pau Torres to keep his spot, but that will be an interesting choice with Diego Carlos hopefully getting minutes off the bench too.
In midfield, John McGinn could start on the right side, with Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz in the middle after Youri Tielemans got another 90 minutes on Thursday night. Emiliano Buendia could keep his spot on the left, with Philippe Coutinho, Leon Bailey and Jaden Philogene hoping for a run-out in the latter stages.
Ollie Watkins should lead the line again as he will be an absolute certainty to start at Newcastle if fit, with Moussa Diaby starting behind him as they continue to build on their chemistry and understanding in the final third.
Emery could have some surprises for us and mix things up a bit more to rest some key individuals for the Newcastle game if he feels their fitness levels are where they need to be already, but we will undoubtedly see a strong starting line-up as we hope to wrap up pre-season on a positive note.
While there are perhaps or two or three players below who are nailed on starters when available, the competition for places this season is exciting and we’ll hopefully have enough depth to cope with what could be a gruelling schedule.
What’s important though is that the Villa boss has various tactical options and solutions to use in different circumstances to make us more unpredictable, but time will tell just how strong an indication our line-up in Valencia is heading into our trip to St James’ Park next weekend.
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Valencia: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Kamara, Luiz, Buendia; Diaby, Watkins.
Agree with the above XI? Or will we see others get the nod with Newcastle in mind?