You sense Aston Villa’s season starts properly right here.
The gruelling winter period awaits everyone and Aston Villa are going to find it tougher than others because they are in Champions League action.
But they can’t feel sorry for themselves, even if Unai Emery has watched the team lose four in a row.
Despite Villa’s mixed performances, and the fact that they are sitting ninth in the Premier League table, ahead of the visit of Crystal Palace at the weekend, only one point separates them and third-placed Chelsea.
Gabby Agbonlahor was discussing the Saturday afternoon fixture on Twitter and how it’s a ‘must-win’ for the Midlands side.
Palace have already won at Villa Park this season, after their EFL Cup triumph at the end of October, but the home side did completely change their team for that match.
And now Agbonlahor has shared what he would do.
Unai Emery urged to start Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran for Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
There has been a lot of talk about Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran this season, with the duo fighting and pushing one another for starting spots.
But now Agbonlahor wants a ‘front three of Rogers, Watkins and Duran’, as well as the out-of-form Leon Bailey being dropped – it would mean Watkins and Duran starting together for the first time in the Premier League this season.
The former striker also added that Jaden Philogene, who returned to the club this summer, ‘can’t beat a player’, so shouldn’t start.
Added to that, he named his midfield ‘if fit’ of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana.
“Must win game Saturday at home to Palace,” said Agbonlahor. “I would play a front three of Rogers, Duran and Watkins!
“Midfield 3 of Mcginn, Onana and Tielemans if all fit! Change the formation a bit as Leon Bailey has been poor and Philogene can’t beat a player! UTV.”
Aston Villa injuries ahead of Palace game
The international break served a mixed purpose for Villa.
On the one hand, McGinn is back scoring again for Scotland after Emery dropped him for the defeat to Liverpool last time out.
But Onana will be sidelined for a few weeks after getting injured on Belgium duty, so he isn’t expected to be available for selection at the weekend.
Then you have the likes of Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen and Ezri Konsa. They all returned from national duty early and fans have got their fingers crossed that they can feature against Palace.
