Aston Villa return to Europa Conference League duty this week, and Unai Emery has a big decision to make on the side that he selects for the encounter with Zrinjski.
Having fallen to defeat in our opener away at Legia Warsaw, it emphasises the importance of our final five group games and adds further pressure to our hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
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In turn, that could influence Emery’s decisions on who starts, and the first indication of his plan will be revealed on Thursday night as we look to put our first points on the board in Group E.
Villa haven’t fared well in midweek games thus far having suffered defeat in Warsaw and been knocked out of the Carabao Cup at home against Everton last week.
While our Premier League form has been impressive as we currently sit in fifth place, that balance is proving to be tricky, and so it’s important we find a way to cope with the schedule and the different type of test in Europe more effectively this time round.
Villa face Wolves on Sunday before the international break, and so could that be a factor in Emery’s decision-making this week, knowing that we’re not back in action until October 22?
Ultimately, the expectation is that we’ll go with a strong side on Thursday, as we have done in every game so far this season. However, whether it’s the rotation disrupting our balance and rhythm or those coming in not performing to a high enough level, or perhaps even a combination of both, the changes haven’t been effective.
Robin Olsen, Calum Chambers, Clement Lenglet, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker and others have all stepped in over those two defeats to Warsaw and Everton, and while Emery makes a fair point that these players have to play as we have a squad of talented individuals for a reason and they need minutes, they didn’t fully convince that they can deliver when given the chance in the starting XI.
It’s understandable that we need to rest key individuals, and as noted above, we have a 26-man squad for a reason. However, with the margin for error closing in Europe slightly after our loss last time out, it’s a decision that could backfire again and really cost us.
Fitness permitting, in the sense that we haven’t had anyone pick up fresh knocks this week, there is a strong argument that Emery should go with his best XI in midweek, and that would be the side that has started the last three consecutive league games.
If we can put ourselves in a commanding position against Zrinjski – which will be difficult given they showed their capabilities against AZ Alkmaar last time out – then there is an opportunity to take players off and rest them in the latter stages.
While the international break isn’t exactly a break for us anymore given the number of internationals in the squad, it does provide a bit of respite for many of our players. In turn, to build on our positive league form, it’s hoped we go full strength against Zrinjski and Wolves, and sign off ahead of the break in buoyant mood having put ourselves in a good position to kick on later in the month.