Aston Villa will be looking to get their Champions League hopes back on track when they host an out-of-form Crystal Palace this weekend.
The Villans reached a rare bad spell of form, having lost four games on the bounce in all competitions, seeing them slip down to ninth in the Premier League.
Unai Emery won’t be worried, though, as Aston Villa are only a win away from potentially pushing themselves back into the top four.
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Aston VillaAston Villa
Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace
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A single point separates Villa in ninth to Chelsea in third and bouncing straight back to winning ways against Palace, who are currently 18th, will give them a boost of optimism.
Paul Merson thinks Villa will beat Crystal Palace on Saturday, and that is a prediction shared by many.
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Aston Villa team news ahead of Crystal Palace
The international break wasn’t the kindest to Emery, who saw many of his key players suffer knocks or injury troubles.
He would have feared the worst when Ezri Konsa suffered an injury against Greece but luckily, it only looked like a minor problem and he should be fit to start this weekend.
Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres were also spotted in training after being sent home with minor problems, leaving supporters confident of their availability this weekend.
Matty Cash and Ross Barkley, who were missing before the break, have now both recovered from their respective issues and should start this match.
Amadou Onana, meanwhile, suffered a foot injury on Belgium duty, with the 23-year-old forced to sit out this clash alongside fellow midfielder Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Crystal Palace
The goalkeeper position speaks for itself at Aston Villa, as Emi Martinez aims to continue his brilliant start to the season.
The World Cup-winning shot-stopper should be joined by a back four consisting of one change, with Diego Carlos dropping out for Cash.
Cash – who they signed for £14 million in 2020 – will start alongside Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne in defence.
As for the midfield duo, Youri Tielemans enjoyed a period of rest during the break and Belgium should partner Barkley in the engine room.
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Fresh from making his England debut, Morgan Rogers is nailed on to start in the attacking midfield role, with captain John McGinn starting on the left and Leon Bailey flanking him on the right.
Ollie Watkins leads the line for Aston Villa after scoring for England against Greece, with Jhon Duran still waiting for his first league start.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Barkley; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
