Aston Villa return to action in the Premier League this afternoon with a trip to East London to face West Ham United at the London Stadium, here’s our Villa predicted lineup.
Unai Emery could be inspired to make some changes to his Aston Villa squad that demolished Ajax on Thursday night.
The Villans boosted their confidence by progressing to the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League, making the 4-0 defeat to Spurs the week prior a thing of the past.
Now, the Midlands club could make the damning defeat to Tottenham last time out even more of a memory, after Ange Postecoglou’s side failed to capitalise on the result by losing 3-0 to Fulham yesterday.
Villa can now restore their five-point lead in the race for the top four this afternoon in a game that could see Emery make a number of changes, here’s our Aston Villa predicted line-up to face West Ham.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs West Ham
Emiliano Martinez
There will be no doubts over who starts in goal as Emi Martinez is Emery’s firm number one for his outstanding contribution this season.
Lucas Digne
After returning to the starting XI against Spurs last week, Lucas Digne could start at left-back over Alex Moreno, with the Frenchman’s ability to drive play forward a decisive factor in his selection.
Ezri Konsa
Ezri Konsa missed out on Thursday’s victory over Ajax due to serving a suspension for the red card he picked up in the first leg however, could return to the back four this afternoon, with Diego Carlos expected to miss out due to injury.
Pau Torres
Now that Pau Torres is back fit, the Spaniard is expected to play a crucial part in guiding Villa to their hopes of securing Champions League football.
Matty Cash
Despite being usurped by Ezri Konsa at right-back last time out in the Premier League, Matty Cash could benefit from the injury to Diego Carlos, which will likely see Konsa drop into central defence and free up the wide position.
Morgan Rogers
Once hailed as “dangerous” for his exciting style of play by Michael Carrick, Morgan Rogers could keep his place in left midfield due to Jacob Ramsey’s injury woes.
The Englishman has impressed since arriving in January and could prove a point to Emery this afternoon if he is given the green light to start.
Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz will be the leading figure in midfield as always for Villa however, the Brazilian will now have to adapt to having another new partner due to the suspension of John McGinn.
Tim Iroegbunam
It could now finally be the time for 20-year-old Bodymoor Heath talent Tim Iroegbunam to step up and become a starter for Villa.
The youngster has featured heavily recently in preparation to play a part in the final stages of the 2023/24 campaign and could now replace McGinn in midfield to show his worth to the boss.
Leon Bailey
After his heroics against Ajax on Thursday, there will be no question as to where Leon Bailey should start.
The Jamaican was returned to the right-wing midweek after featuring centrally against Spurs, showcasing a dazzling performance to assure that his poor display the week prior was merely a one-off.
Moussa Diaby
Like Bailey, Moussa Diaby impressed against Ajax by scoring and highlighting the danger he can add to Villa’s front line when in impressive form.
The Frenchman could find himself in the starting XI for the first time in five Premier League games thanks to his goal on Thursday, seeing Youri Tielemans miss out.
Jhon Duran
With there being question marks over the fitness of Ollie Watkins, who sustained a cut to the knee against Ajax, Jhon Duran could be called upon to start against West Ham.
The 20-year-old was lively on Thursday and capped his performance off with a goal and will now be eager to secure his first Premier League start of the season if Watkins is not risked.
