Aston Villa face West Ham Utd at the London Stadium on Sunday, and here’s how Unai Emery’s starting line-up could look for the encounter.
After getting back to winning ways in midweek in Europe, Villa make the trip to the capital with renewed confidence and belief as we look to solidify our spot in fourth place.
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Having produced a reaction after our defeat to Tottenham, and after seeing Spurs fall to defeat this weekend, a win would be huge for our ambitions of securing a top-four finish, albeit fifth may prove to be enough this year to qualify for the Champions League.
For Emery though, the immediate focus will be West Ham and finding consistency again to put a strong run of form together, but there will be at least one significant change to the Villa XI.
McGinn suspended, late call on Watkins
Skipper John McGinn will begin serving his suspension after seeing red against Tottenham last time out, and his absence in midfield will be a major blow given his influence.
The expectation is that Tim Iroegbunam will come in and fill that void having been gradually integrated and become more involved in recent weeks, while there is also a lack of alternative options with Boubacar Kamara out injured.
He’ll have a vital role to play in being the anchor in midfield and to complement Douglas Luiz, but given his technical ability and physical attributes, there is confidence that he will be able to do an important job.
Emi Martinez will start between the posts, while there will be one change in defence from midweek as Ezri Konsa will come back into the side after being suspended against Ajax.
With Diego Carlos picking up a hamstring injury in our 4-0 win on Thursday night, Konsa is likely to partner Pau Torres in our centre-half partnership, which in turn should see Matty Cash continue at right back and one of Alex Moreno or Lucas Digne on the opposite side.
Moreno continues to search for his best form, but the Spaniard is arguably the better, more well-rounded option of the two on the road to provide us with width and an attacking outlet.
Leon Bailey and Morgan Rogers could complete the midfield alongside Iroegbunam and Luiz, although Moussa Diaby will have a say after his impressive display during the week, while Youri Tielemans will hope to come back in from the start.
The big decision though will be up front, as we anxiously wait to see if Ollie Watkins is available. The 28-year-old sustained a nasty cut to his leg against Ajax which eventually forced him off in the first half, and so it remains to be seen if that has healed enough for him to be given the green light to feature.
Given his form this season having scored 22 goals and provided 10 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions, it would be a massive blow to be without him even though Jhon Duran will be itching to get an opportunity after scoring against Ajax, and so it’s hoped there is positive news on the injury front when we announce our starting line-up.
Further, it also remains to be seen if Jacob Ramsey is available again after missing our last three games due to a foot problem, but regardless, we’ll still have a strong squad at Emery’s disposal as we look to secure an important three points.