Liam Duckstein
Emery Reshapes Aston Villa Lineup for Bologna Europa League Clash
Aston Villa travel to Italy for the first leg of their Europa League tie against Bologna on Thursday night, with Unai Emery facing selection challenges after the international break. The squad has been sidelined for 18 days since their last match against West Ham, while the Serie A side returns fresher after defeating Cremonese 2-1 over the weekend.
Emery deployed his available players at a Spanish training camp and organized a friendly against Elche to maintain fitness levels. The manager now confronts at least two forced changes to his starting XI.
Injury Concerns Shape Team Selection
Jadon Sancho sustained a shoulder injury during the preparation period and faces a two to three-week absence. Ross Barkley was omitted from the European squad registration, further restricting Emery’s options in midfield and attack.
These absences demand tactical adjustments to the XI that progressed past West Ham.
Predicted Starting Eleven
Emi Martinez guards goal behind a back four of Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, and Lucas Digne. The double pivot comprises Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz, with Youri Tielemans elevated to the number 10 role. John McGinn and Morgan Rogers operate from the wings, supporting Ollie Watkins in attack.
Martinez; Cash, Lindelof, Mings, Digne; Onana, Luiz; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Tielemans’ positioning in a creative capacity compensates for both Sancho’s absence and Barkley’s squad exclusion. The Belgian midfielder offers the technical security Emery requires against a defensively organized Bologna side.
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