On Sunday, Aston Villa will travel to Tottenham Hotspur, where they will have the chance to rise above their rivals in the Premier League standings.
With a victory over Spurs, the Villans, who are currently one point behind their upcoming hosts, could finish the weekend in the top four of the division.
With goals from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, and Antonee Robinson in addition to an own goal, Unai Emery’s team defeated Fulham 3-1 going into this game. They will be aiming for three more points.
That victory, though, does not guarantee that the Spanish head coach will start this game with the same lineup. This is the lineup we think Villa will start against Spurs on Sunday in London.
Emiliano Martinez
Since he has started 11 of the team’s 12 Premier League games thus far, Emiliano Martinez, the number one goal scorer for Argentina, should get the start in goal.
The 31-year-old titan will be looking to build on his two career top-flight shutouts, as despite the team’s strong play, the World Cup winner has struggled to maintain shutouts.
Matty Cash
Since Ashley Young left the team to play for Everton in the summer, Matty Cash, the only senior natural right-back, could continue in defence.
Against Fulham, the Poland international recorded the highest Sofascore rating (7.0) of any player in the Villa back four while making two interceptions and two clearances.
Ezri Konsa
With 12 top-flight starts in the 2023–24 season, Ezri Konsa, the English giant, could start at center-back at the centre of the defence.
The former Brentford star has shown his physical dominance against the opposition in those matches, winning an amazing 74% of his duels, including 80% of them on the deck.
Pau Torres
Pau Torres, who joined the team in the summer after leaving Villarreal, may be able to stay there and play alongside Konsa in the Villans’ central defensive positions.
The Spain international has been excellent at playing out of the back to start attacks for the team; this season, he ranks among the top 13% of Premier League center-backs for both progressive passes (5.74) and progressive carries (1.54) per 90.
Alex Moreno
The first alteration could be made at left-back, where Alex Moreno could start for the first time this year after missing the first few games due to injury.
In 19 Premier League games last season, he totaled three assists, 1.6 tackles, and 1.6 interceptions per game. This season, Lucas Digne has assisted on two goals in 12 top-flight matches.
The Frenchman maintaining his starting position at left defence would not be shocking, but Emery relied heavily on Moreno, making 14 starts in the second half of the 2022–2023 season, after bringing him in as one of his first signings in January.
This shows that the Spaniard has faith in his ability to perform, which may be the reason he was chosen right away to face players like Pedro Porro and Dejan Kulusevski on the left side.
Boubacar Kamara
Boubacar Kamara, a talented French player, has been a reliable midfield player because of his defensive presence. He could continue to play in this position.
Throughout 12 league starts for the Villans, the former Marseille standout has averaged 3.1 tackles, 3.1 interceptions, and 4.8 ball recoveries per game.
Douglas Luiz
After an incredible start to the season, it would not be surprising to see the club’s brilliant Brazilian maestro Douglas Luiz continue to shine in midfield next to Kamara.
In 12 league starts, the former Manchester City player has contributed five goals, one assist, 2.7 tackles, and one interception per game for Emery’s team.
John McGinn
As the team’s leader and a player with the ability to contribute at the top of the pitch, Villa’s captain should continue to play in midfield.
In 12 Premier League starts so far, he has three goals and two assists to his name. Against Spurs on Sunday, he might add to his total.
Nicolo Zaniolo
Nicolo Zaniolo starting ahead of Youri Tielemans in an attacking midfield position could be the second change to the starting lineup in order to give the team more athleticism against a high-energy and competitive Tottenham team.
In the Premier League this season, Galatasaray’s loanee has won 1.6 more duels (3.2) and made 0.2 more ball recoveries (2.2) than the Belgian midfielder. As a result, he could give Villa more out of possession to contain Ange Postecoglou’s team.
With Zaniolo in the starting lineup to win physical duels and force turnovers, this could then allow the other attacking players to flourish at the top end of the pitch.
Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey could replace Moussa Diaby in the starting lineup as the third and final change, joining Ollie Watkins at the top of the pitch.
The French talent for Villa did not have the best afternoon against Fulham the previous time around. In 62 minutes on the pitch, he missed two “big chances.”
In addition, he lost 75% of his duels and only managed one opportunity for his teammates during the game. Bailey, who played for 28 minutes, made two crucial passes, produced one “big chance,” and recorded an assist, took his place.
After his outstanding cameo against the Cottagers, the former Bayer Leverkusen star—who was once dubbed “electric” by journalist Matt Maher—may start ahead of Diaby in the Premier League after scoring three goals and dishing out three assists thus far this season.
Ollie Watkins
Emery should have no trouble selecting this one because the 27-year-old striker has been playing sensationally this season and has the ability to punish Tottenham in the closing third.
In 12 Premier League games, Ollie Watkins has contributed six goals and five assists. He has also scored two goals in two starts during the Europa Conference League group stage.
These numbers demonstrate his ability to be a difference-maker for Villa, and his presence in the middle of the pitch may be crucial to their chances of winning on Sunday.
