Aston Villa return to Premier League action on Saturday with a trip to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham.
Aston Villa entered the international break with a goalless draw at home to Manchester United while Fulham put in a valiant effort at the Etihad before losing 3-2 against Manchester City.
Once again, Unai Emery has most of his first-team squad away with their respective countries, including midfielder Youri Tielemans and second-choice goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
Emery is hoping to welcome back Ezri Konsa and Leon Bailey from their respective injury niggles while Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara are waiting to return to the squad.
Here is our predicted XI for the match.
Goalkeeper
Emi Martinez is currently on international duty with Argentina, who have drawn to Venezuela and will play Bolivia in World Cup qualifying ahead of the 32-year-old returning to Villa Park.
Martinez was recently dubbed ‘world-class’ for his tremendous displays against Ipswich and Bayern Munich, with the World Cup winner the surest selection in the team.
- READ MORE: Unai Emery could already have ‘magnificent’ Emi Martinez heir right under his nose at Aston Villa
Defence
Aston Villa lined up with a defence of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne against Man United.
Konsa was taken off with an injury in that match and then withdrew from Lee Carsley’s latest England squad. That decision was likely taken as a precaution, and he should keep his place in the side for the visit to Craven Cottage.
Cash came out of his return to action unscathed, with the Poland international starting alongside Pau in defence once more.
There could be a change at left-back since Villa play against Bologna three days later, and that could see Ian Maatsen make his first league start ahead of Digne.
Digne – who cost Villa £25 million in 2022 – has been brilliant this season but Emery could rotate for this match.
Midfield
Amadou Onana suffered a hamstring injury in the win over Bayern just over a week ago and the Belgian missed the draw against United.
The 23-year-old was also left out of Belgium’s Nations League squad however – like Konsa – his injury troubles don’t seem serious and he should start against Fulham.
If Onana isn’t fit, Ross Barkley could keep his place in the starting XI alongside midfield maestro Tielemans with Morgan Rogers deployed just ahead.
Attack
The Aston Villa boss faces a dilemma in attack. Winger Leon Bailey has been playing through pain as of late.
Bailey’s performance levels have dropped as a result but the Jamaican will have had a much-needed break from playing and his place on the right should be guaranteed.
Should the 27-year-old be deemed unfit to play, Emery can call on Jaden Philogene, who started on the left against United.
Jacob Ramsey is another who has suffered injury troubles recently, though he should be fit enough to start next weekend with Ollie Watkins leading the line as usual.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau, Maatsen; Tielemans, Onana; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Watkins.
