Unai Emery will make three changes, including benching Nicolo Zaniolo and Boubacar Kamara against Legia Warsaw.
The Europa Conference League group stage begins on Thursday, and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery may make three changes to his starting eleven when they travel to Legia Warsaw in Poland.
Emery’s team has had a respectable start to the current Premier League season, winning three of their first five games including a thrilling 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Emery’s team will be anticipated to win the section because AZ Alkmaar and Zrinjski Mostar are also in their group, but they will have to face a hostile Warsaw crowd on opening night.
The Spaniard may have some difficult decision-making before the game, especially with a trip to Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday to take into account.
Aston Villa will undoubtedly have to execute such a difficult juggling act for the first time in a while as they attempt to balance both their domestic and European endeavors, thus Emery must make sure his team is adequately equipped and mentally ready to perform at the top levels in both tournaments.
And Emery might make up to three changes for the match on Thursday.
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Emi Martinez is anticipated to stay in goal for the Villans and may consider himself fortunate that his teammates came to his aid following a terrible slip that resulted in Crystal Palace’s opening goal on Saturday.
had a comfortable afternoon and stopped Ebere Eze from scoring when the score was still 1-0 in favor of the opposition.
With Clement Lenglet finally making his full Aston Villa debut before Pau Torres to partner with Ezri Konsa at center-back, the Spaniard might be persuaded to make a change at the back.
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne are anticipated to maintain their positions at right and left full-back, respectively, although it won’t come as a surprise if Emery starts Alex Moreno in front of the Frenchman to give the latter some much-needed fitness in his legs following his comeback from injury.
Boubacar Kamara’s dismal performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday may lead Emery to bench him in midfield.
The former Marseille player won four ground duels and finished five of his seven long balls (SofaScore), but that was about it because, in contrast to the ever-present Luiz, he was completely absent. His starting spot at Villa Park is in grave danger.
The outstanding Douglas Luiz, who should play at the base of Villa’s three-man midfield against the Eagles, continues his outstanding form after winning ten of his ground duels, completing all of his long balls, laying on one crucial pass, and successfully completing 87% of his passes [SofaScore] in a crucial performance.
Not one of his best, but one which proves just how influential he is for Emery. Also scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot.
John McGinn also was rather ineffective at the weekend, winning just four of his nine ground duels, losing possession of the ball ten times and completing 50% of his dribbles [SofaScore] before being taken off for the Villa’s saviour Jhon Duran, will be looking to rekindle his form and Emery will need his quality with the Villans expected to play under a very hostile atmosphere in Poland.
Youri Tielemas should start alongside McGinn and Luiz and show Emery why he deserves to start Premier League games and his controlled and composed game in possession could prove incredibly useful in what should be a frantic spectacle.
In attack, Emery will be expected to wield the axe on Nicolo Zaniolo after his below-par performance at the weekend in what was his first Premier League start.