Aston Villa will look to get back to winning ways as they welcome AZ Alkmaar to Villa Park for their fourth Conference League group game.
Following two wins and a loss, Aston Villa will look to move to the top of Group E as they face AZ.
Last time out in Alkmaar, Unai Emery’s side was on fire. They came away with a stunning 4-1 win on the road.
Despite sitting in second place in the Eredivisie, Pascal Jansen’s side currently find themselves bottom of the group. Leaving them desperate for a win.
Despite winning easily last time out, this opponent won’t be taken lightly and a strong-looking team will be fielded in B6.
So here is our predicted XI to face AZ…
Aston Villa predicted XI
Given the result last time out, Emery won’t be messing around and we can assume the Spaniard is going to go strong.
With that being said, Emi Martinez has to be in goal for the Villains. Despite receiving some criticism for his “error” against Forest, he will be eager to right that wrong. He has started every group game so far and will want to continue.
With Matty Cash potentially still struggling with a slight injury sustained last time out. A different option is likely to be taken for our predicted XI.
Given his versatility, Ezri Konsa is likely to step into that role and start the game as right back as opposed to his usual centre-back spot.
Again, it is likely that Emery will revert to type and bring Diego Carlos and Clement Lenglet in. Our predicted team features these two as they have played the last two group games. Despite his form £35m man, Pau Torres is likely to drop out again.
In spite of Alex Moreno’s return to the squad against Forest, it is more likely that Lucas Digne will maintain his spot. Fans will be desperate to see Moreno at some point during the game at Villa Park, but he won’t start.
Looking further up the pitch, Youri Tielemans is set to take up a role as he did against AZ. Alongside him, we have predicted John McGinn, Leon Bailey and Boubacar Kamara. There is also a chance that Douglas Luiz fits in instead of one of those options.
In the forward line, the options are currently sparse. Ollie Watkins is set to retake his role as the goalscorer in chief. Alongside him is where this predicted XI is more difficult. Moussa Diaby has been in top form and may benefit from more minutes. This or Nicolo Zaniolo may be given a chance further up the pitch.
Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Lenglet, Digne, Bailey, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Diaby, Watkins
